The Constitution (105th Amendment) Act, 2021 restored the power of States to identify and maintain their own lists of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs/OBCs) for reservation purposes. This amendment clarified the interpretation of which earlier amendment?
- 102nd Amendment
- 103rd Amendment
- 104th Amendment
- 93rd Amendment
Answer: 102nd Amendment
102nd Amendment (2018): Inserted Article 338B (National Commission for Backward Classes) and Article 342A (President notifies SEBC list for Central purposes). Supreme Court in Maratha Reservation case (2021) interpreted Article 342A as taking away States' power to identify OBCs. 105th Amendment (2021) clarified: (a) President notifies Central List, (b) States can maintain their own State Lists for State-level reservations. Restored federal balance in OBC identification, crucial for State-level affirmative action.