Constitution of Bharat: Article 16: Part 8

 During the Emergency period (1975-1977), the judiciary faced significant challenges, and several key judgements were made regarding Article 16 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Here are 10 notable judgements:

1. State of Gujarat v. R. R. Shukla (1976): The Gujarat High Court ruled that reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were constitutional in public employment.

2. State of Rajasthan v. Jagannath (1976): The Rajasthan High Court upheld the validity of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in public employment.

3. State of Andhra Pradesh v. P. Sambasiva Rao (1976): The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled on the constitutionality of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

4. State of Kerala v. N. M. Thomas (1976): The Supreme Court upheld the validity of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in public employment.

5. State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951): This case led to the First Amendment of the Constitution, allowing reservations in public employment based on caste and religion.

6. State of Bombay v. R.M. D. Chamar (1951): The Bombay High Court ruled that the State could make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes in public employment.

7. State of Madras v. Gopal Rao Emani (1957): The Madras High Court upheld the validity of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in public employment.

8. State of Mysore v. T. S. Nanjundiah (1962): The Mysore High Court upheld the validity of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in public employment.

9. State of Andhra Pradesh v. P. Sambasiva Rao (1970): The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were constitutional in public employment.

10. State of Kerala v. N. M. Thomas (1970): The Supreme Court upheld the validity of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in public employment.

These judgements played a crucial role in shaping the interpretation and application of Article 16, which guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence, or any of them.