Difference Between Creamy and Non-Creamy Layer

The creamy and non-creamy layers of OBC in India play a vital role in shaping society. In India, OBC (Other Backward Classes) refers to a class of socially and educationally deprived communities. The OBC category is intended to provide positive movement and possibilities for the development and welfare of those groups.

The OBC class isn’t the same across the entire country but varies from state to state. The OBC category specifically has been divided into two parts, i.e., the creamy layer and the non-creamy layer. In the article below, you will learn more about India’s Other Backward Castes (OBC) and the differences between the layers.

What is the difference between Creamy and Non-Creamy Layer

The term ‘Creamy Layer’ is used to refer to the members of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), who aren’t eligible for reservation policy from the government in jobs and academic institutions. The non-Creamy Layer are those individuals of OBCs who get the advantage of reservation in government jobs and academic establishments. The Honorable Supreme Court, in the case of Indra Sawhney v. Union of India, introduced the “Creamy Layer” as a standard for determining the more privileged and better-off people among OBCs.

Difference Between Creamy and Non-Creamy Layer

This is the difference between OBC Creamy and Non Creamy Layers:

OBC Creamy Layer	OBC Non-Creamy Layer
Acronym: OBC-CL	Acronym: OBC-NCL
Represents the upper caste and acquires education	Lack formal education
Reservation benefits are not available to OBC members in the creamy layer.	Reservation benefits are available to OBC members in the non-creamy layer.
The income threshold is greater than 8 lakhs.	Much less than 8 lakhs.
Consistent across all Indian states	It varies depending on the number and type of political seats in each state.
Qualified for employment in Indian Civil services	Qualified for employment in Indian Forestry and Railway services
Eligible for admission to IITs and IIMs	Not eligible

Creamy Layer and Non-Creamy Layer of OBC

The creamy layer and the non-creamy layer of OBC are the two important elements that are used by UPSC to differentiate the backward classes. It isn’t always needed by the recruitment board; however, it’s being accompanied by many different country governments, which include Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and plenty of others. For Class 10th Pass/Matriculation Pass college students, it’s a large challenge to fulfill their eligibility for OBC promotion into IAS or IFS.

The creamy layer and the non-creamy layer of OBC play a crucial role in the UPSC recruitment process. More and more job seekers are getting to know about this idea and want to be part of the UPSC. So in case you are also looking for a government job, the creamy layer and non-creamy layer of OBC are the best recruiting tools for you.

What is the Creamy Layer?

The Creamy Layer is also known as the forward castes in the context of the UPSC Civil Service Exam. The creamy layer of OBC refers to the set of people who have a qualifying academic qualification like a high school degree or equivalent.

The Creamy Layer are backward classes in India, and Indians belonging to those cases are classified as Other Backward Classes (OBC) by the Government of India. The creamy layer, or forward caste, holds a prestigious position in Indian society because of their educational qualifications and ranks in high-end jobs consisting of IAS, IPS, IFS, and so on.

Categories Specified Under Creamy Layer

1. For people who are not government officials, the threshold is an income of Rs. 8 lakh per year.
2. For children of government employees, the threshold is based on their parents’ rank and not their salary.
3. Income from salaries or agricultural land isn’t clubbed while setting the creamy layer, in keeping with a DoPT explanation issued on October 14, 2004.

Note that, in addition to the above, there are other criteria to set the creamy layer as well.

What is the Non-creamy Layer?

A non-creamy layer of OBC refers to backward castes and tribes who either have no educational qualification or whose educational qualification isn’t equal to a high school diploma. According to the government, the non-creamy layer of OBC includes all different castes and tribes that are backward in the standards for promotion. Therefore, those castes are non-creamy layers. In other words, it does not include the creamy layer of OBC due to the fact that they don’t have a qualifying education qualification.

National Commission for Other Backward Classes (NCBC)

The National Commission for Other Backward Classes (NCBC) is a body in India that works to secure the rights of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). It was established with the goal of addressing the problems confronted by socially and educationally deprived groups and ensuring their inclusive improvement.

The NCBC is governed by the National Commission for Other Backward Classes Act of 1993. The commission includes a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and three contributors appointed by the President of India. These people are tasked with assessing the backwardness of diverse communities and figuring out their inclusion or exclusion from the OBC category. These are the duties of the NCBC:

• To conduct surveys and studies to discover OBC communities that require affirmative action for their upliftment.
• To investigate lawsuits and grievances related to the implementation of reservation recommendations for OBCs in public employment and educational establishments.
• Serves as a platform for OBC groups to voice their worries and problems.
• Promotes the rights and well-being of OBC groups in India. By assessing backwardness, investigating grievances, and making guidelines for affirmative action.

Conclusion – Creamy Layer vs Non-Creamy Layer

In conclusion, the key difference between the creamy and non-creamy layers is that the latter is privileged with respect to government policies, while the former is not. In the above article, we have provided complete information about the creamy and non-creamy layers of OBC in depth.

FAQs on Difference Between Creamy and Non-Creamy Layer

1. What is the creamy layer of OBC?

The creamy layer is a term used in the political world to classify members of different backward classes (OBCs) who are comparatively forward, economically stable, and more knowledgeable and consequently not eligible for academic and professional advantages sponsored by the government.

2. What is the non-creamy layer of OBC?

The non-creamy layer of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) is the group of people that have a yearly income of much less than ₹8 lakhs per annum.

3. What is OBC in India?

OBC stands for Other Backward Classes. It is a term utilized in India to refer to socially and educationally disadvantaged people.

4. How do I know if I am creamy or non-creamy?

If you have annual earnings of less than ₹8 lakhs per annum, you are identified as the non-creamy layer. You will obtain an OBC Non-Creamy Layer credit, providing access to all government jobs and age exemptions for competitive examinations.

5. What is the main difference between Creamy and Non-Creamy Layer of OBC?

The main difference between the Creamy Layer and Non-Creamy Layer within OBC category lies in their socio-economic status. The Creamy Layer refers to the more affluent and economically advanced segment within the OBC community, while the Non-Creamy Layer comprises individuals with a comparatively lower socio-economic status.