This article is an insight into the recent decision delivered by a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court in Chebrolu Leela Prasad Rao and Others v State of Andhra Pradesh and Others on 22 April 2020. In effect, the Court nullified the 100% reservation to local Scheduled Tribes for posts of teachers in the Schedule V areas. Three focal concerns that the Supreme Court has overlooked while rendering this important decision are examined and it is shown how the apex court has been oblivious to the unique nature of the Schedule V scheme as laid out in the Constitution and has thereby failed to uphold the rights of the Adivasis. Following the judgment, Adivasi communities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are extremely agitated and the state governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana seem to be set to prefer a review of this judgment.
