The word creamy layer refers to the wealthier and educated members of the Other Backward Classes (OBC'S) community of India who are not eligible for educational and professional benefit programs which is sponsored by the government. Creamy layer was introduced by the Sattanathan Commission in 1971, which directs creamy layer should be excluded from the reservation quotas of civil services granted to the OBCs.
Creamy layer also restricts reservation benefits to children of those who work under Indian constitution such as the president, judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, employees of central and state bureaucracies, members of paramilitary and armed forces above the rank of colonel.