[JURIST] The Supreme Court of India [official website] Thursday upheld [judgment] a governmental program reserving seats at India's top state schools for members of lower castes [BBC backgrounder], but ruled that wealthy lower caste families should not be permitted to take advantage of the program. The program holds 27 percent of enrollment at state-run professional schools for lower caste persons. Announced last year, the program was temporarily placed on hold until the court ruled on its legality.

The caste system in India was outlawed almost 60 years ago, but program supporters argue that such initiatives are necessary to correct socio-economic injustices. Critics say that better basic education should be the focus, as reserved seats at universities remain unfilled because of poor primary education. AP has more.