In January 2024, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court upheld the power of States to create sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes reservation to provide preferential treatment to more backward SC communities.

State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (January 2024): 7-judge Constitution Bench (6:1) overruled E.V. Chinnaiah (2004) and held: (a) States have power to create sub-classifications within SC/ST reservations to ensure equitable distribution of benefits among more and less backward communities, (b) Such classification must be based on quantifiable data showing backwardness, (c) Does not violate Article 14 if rational and based on intelligible differentia. Enables States to address intra-group inequalities within reserved categories; significant for affirmative action policy.