Difference Between Creamy and Non Creamy Layer

The Creamy Layer and Non-Creamy Layer of Other Backward Classes are important factors for applicants in the OBC category. These are considered the government’s methods of reaching out to the existing OBC population and helping to lower the unemployment rate. Reservation benefits are only available to applicants who fall into the non-creamy layer; while those who fall into the creamy layer will not. This is the primary difference between the two applicant categories.

Difference Between Creamy Layer and Non-Creamy Layer of OBC

The following table lists the detailed difference between the creamy and non-creamy layers of Other Backward Castes (OBC):

Characteristics	Creamy Layer	Non-Creamy Layer
Definition	Based on the percentage of India’s total population that belongs to a given caste, the creamy layer of OBC is determined. In Indian society, the creamy layer is hence associated with the upper caste.	Castes and tribes who lack formal education are classified as Non-Creamy Layers of OBC.
Status in Different States	The creamy layer is consistent across all of India’s states and does not change from one to the next.	Each state has a different non-creamy layer. The number of seats available for that specific type of government position in that specific state will determine the outcome
Income Threshold	The income limit in the creamy layer is more than 8 lakhs.	The income limit in the non-creamy layer is less than 8 lakhs.
Financial Assistance	There are no financial rewards from the government.	The government offers financial assistance.
Reservation Benefits	Members of the creamy layer Other Backward Classes shall not receive any reservation benefits	Reservation advantages will be available to members of Other Backward Classes who are in the non-creamy layer.
Acronym	OBC-CL is the acronym for the creamy layer.	OBC-NCL is the acronym for the non-creamy layer.

What is Creamy Layer?

The term “creamy layer” is used to describe certain members of a backward class (OBC) who are extremely advanced socially, economically, and educationally. They are as forward as any other member of the forward class thus making the forward component of that specific backward class. Government-sponsored programs for professional and educational benefits are not available to them. The Sattanathan Commission, which mandated that the “creamy layer” be removed from the reserves (quotas) of civil posts, coined the phrase in 1971. The Justice Ram Nandan Committee later identified it in 1993.

According to the Sattanathan Committee’s 1971 definition of ₹ or INR, the creamy layer (income) threshold was defined as the parents’ gross yearly income from all sources exceeding 100,000 rupees. When the “creamy layer” ceiling was first implemented in 1993, it was ₹ 1 lakh. Subsequently, it was revised in 2004 to Rs 2.5 lakh annually, and then again in 2008 to ₹ 4.5 lakh, Rs 6 lakh in 2013, and Rs 8 lakh in 2017. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) suggested in October 2015 that the minimal ceiling for Other Backward Class (OBC) should be considered to be a person whose parents’ gross yearly income does not exceed Rs 15 lakh.

Classification under Creamy Layer

A note from an Indian government office dated September 8, 1993, was cited by the Supreme Court of India in defining the “creamy layer”.

• According to the Supreme Court, OBC children of constitutional functionaries—the President, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, employees of state and federal bureaucracies above a certain level, workers in the public sector, and members of the armed forces and paramilitary groups above the rank of colonel—should not be eligible for reservation benefits.
• No matter how much money their family makes, members of scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) are exempt from this classification and are always entitled to reservation benefits. No matter how low the family income, those who are not members of preferred groups are no longer eligible for the reservation benefit.

What is the Non-Creamy Layer?

The term “non-creamy layer” refers to a family that is an Other Backward Classes (OBC) member that makes less than INR 8 lakhs annually. That household will consequently be granted OBC Non-Creamy layer recognition, enabling them to apply for all government jobs and receiving age exemptions from entrance exams.

Backward castes and tribes that either have no formal education or have formal education that is not comparable to a high school diploma are referred to as non-creamy layer OBC. The government announcement states that all other castes and tribes are considered non-Creamy layers of OBC and are not eligible for promotion. These castes are hence non-creamy layers. Because they lack the necessary educational background.

The lists of castes and communities classified as OBCs (Other Backward Classes) have been made public by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Government of India uses the collective term “Other Backward Classes” to classify castes that are less fortunate in terms of education and social status. Along with Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes (STs and SCs), it is one of the official classifications of the Indian populace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, candidates in the OBC category can be divided into creamy and non-creamy layers. While the non-creamy layer has educational requirements equivalent to a high school degree, the creamy layer does not. In this article we have examined the key differences between Creamy and Non-Creamy Layers. In India, for example, the non-creamy layer is entitled to apply for Indian Railway Services and Indian Forest Services, while the creamy layer is eligible to apply for Civil Services based on the job post.

FAQs – Creamy and Non-creamy Layers of OBC

1. Who is Creamy Layer in OBC?

The term “creamy layer” is used to describe certain members of a backward class who are extremely advanced socially, economically, and educationally. They are as forward as any other member of the forward class and make up the forward component of that specific backward class.

2. What is meant by Creamy and Non-Creamy layer?

The individual will fall into the Creamy Layer if their income exceeds 8 lakh. The individual will be classified as Non-Creamy Layer if their income is less than 8 lakhs. The following requirements must be met in order to acquire a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate. Only individuals from non-creamy layers are eligible to apply for this certification.

3. Which is better Creamy Layer or Non-Creamy Layer?

The OBC category known as the “Creamy Layer” is made up of individuals who are generally more privileged, wealthier, and well-off than other OBC members. The other OBC subclass, known as non-creamy layer OBC, is less developed socially and economically than creamy layer OBC.

4. What is the Creamy Layer Limit for OBC?

For members of the Other Backward Classes who do not meet the additional requirements for being classified as Creamy Layer members, the yearly parental income limit is Rs. 8 lakh.

5. Is OBC Non-Creamy Layer a Minority?

OBC does not belong to a minority community. The Indian government uses the OBC classification system to identify those who have social or educational disadvantages.