In the Indian constitution, Other Backward Classes are divided into two different groups, and the different people in these two groups get various benefits based on the basis of which group they are. Both the groups are named as Creamy Layer and Non-Creamy Layer, these layers play a vital role for Other Backward Classes. These are the different ways, which help the government to differentiate between Other Backward Classes, and recognize the people who are actually in need. Let us get to know in detail what is a creamy layer and what is a Non-Creamy layer. We will also see the major difference between the Creamy Layer and the Non-Creamy Layer.
The major difference between Creamy Layer and Non-Creamy Layer
- Creamy Layer: The Creamy Layer is determined on the basis of the total percentage of a country’s population of a specific caste. The creamy layer does not vary from state to state; it remains constant for all the states. The limit of yearly income for the creamy layer is more than 800000 rupees. The people of the creamy layer are not blessed with any financial rewards or any reservation benefits from the government. The acronym for the Creamy Layer is OBC-CL.
- Non-Creamy Layer: people or tribes who are not getting proper education for their bright future come under the non-creamy layer of Other Backward classes. Percentage of Non-Creamy Layers differentiate from state to state. It also depends on the type of government that is in position. The limit of yearly income for Non-Creamy Layers is less than 800000 rupees. Non-Creamy Layers are blessed with various plans of the government to help them financially and the government also helps by exempting age factors in government exams by which they get the benefit of a good job. The acronym for the Non-Creamy Layer is OBC-NCL.
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What is meant by Creamy Layer?
Sach members of other backward classes who are economically well, getting proper education, advanced facilities, and are advanced in social activities are considered to be in the Creamy Layer. Just like the forward classes of society, they are also getting the same benefits. So all the government-related policies, and sponsored programs, which are there to help the people in their educational and professional growth are not available for the people of Creamy Layer.
However, this is a big topic of debate, since ancient times Creamy Layer should be removed from the reservation quota that the Indian government is giving and it should be added to the forward classes. Creamy Layer was first implemented in 1993, under which the yearly income of a family from all sources exceeding 100,000 should be considered a creamy layer. In 2004 the law was again revised and it was now 2.5 lakh per annum. In 2008 it came to 4.5 lakh yearly. In 2013 it was changed to 6 lakh per annum, and in 2017 it was changed to 8 lakh per annum. However, a suggestion was made in October 2015 by the National Commission of Backward Classes that a minimum income of OBC should not exceed 15 lakh.
What is meant by the Non-Creamy Layer?
Such members of Other Backward Classes whose yearly income is less than 8 lakh rupees are considered in the Non-Creamy layer by the Indian judicial system. They are the group that is a proper fit for all the government-related sponsored programs, scholarships, and government jobs. These people even get age exemptions from various governments in entrance exams. These people are less fortunate in terms of education and because they lack proper education. They didn’t get a proper job to match all their needs so the government helped them with their education by giving them scholarships and also helped them by giving them exemptions in various government-related exams.
Reservation benefits by the Indian government
The government of India gives reservation facilities to people in need and helps them build bright futures. However, some rules are also made so that no one can miss these benefits, the people who are in the OBC group but are the children of the president, judges of the supreme court and high court, or are in parliamentary groups or other big employee in the government sector are not eligible for the reservation benefits which is provided by the Indian government.
The people of scheduled castes and scheduled Tribes are eligible for reservation benefits by the Indian government no matter how much money they make, or their family members make, they can always get the benefits of reservation. Based on their caste they are getting the benefits but this is a very serious topic for discussion if they are sufficient to manage their life and are earning in 8 digits, then why are they getting the extra benefits of reservation only because they belong to scheduled caste and scheduled tribes?
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Conclusion
The Creamy and Non-Creamy Layers of Other Backward Categories get different facilities from the Government of India according to their needs. The Non-Creamy Layer can apply for Indian railway services and Indian forest services, while the Creamy Layer can apply for civil services jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who gets more benefit from the government creamy layer or non-creamy layer?
— People in both groups get benefits according to their needs. The creamy layer people can apply for civil services jobs while the Non-Creamy layer people can apply for Indian railway services or forest services.
- Does OBC belong to a minority community?
— The OBC and minority communities both are different cases, the OBC classification is used by the Indian government so that they can identify who is in need of social and educational advantage.