Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment
(1) There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State. (2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of, any employment or office under the State.
Article 16 guarantees equal opportunity in government jobs and prohibits discrimination in public employment. It ensures that all citizens have a fair chance at government positions based on merit, not identity. The article also allows reservations for backward classes in public employment.
Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Indra Sawhney v. Union of India
1992The Supreme Court upheld 27% reservation for OBCs in public employment but introduced the 'creamy layer' exclusion.
Impact: Established the creamy layer concept, ensuring that reservation benefits reach the most backward among backward classes.