Understanding Reservation Policies for General Category in India: A Comprehensive Guide

India's reservation policies are designed to provide equal educational and employment opportunities to marginalized and socially disadvantaged sections of society. However, it's important to understand which categories are prioritized and the processes involved in any amendments. This guide aims to clarify the reservation policies, particularly focusing on the general category and economically weaker sections (EWS).

General Category and Reservation Policies

The Indian Constitution's reservation policies have historically excluded the general category. This is a critical point to understand as the general category refers to those candidates belonging to caste groups that are neither SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), nor OBC (Other Backward Classes) – the primary categories covered by reservation policies.

Reservations under the general category typically refer to non-reserved seats, also known as merit-based seats. These seats are not designated for any specific social category but are available for all candidates based on their performance. Until recently, the general category had no reserved seats.

Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

However, there is a category where the general category intersects with reservations: the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). The concept of EWS was introduced in 2019 with the goal of providing additional support to those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds within the general category.

To be eligible for the EWS category, a family's annual income must be less than ?8 lakhs as per the 2020 standard. This threshold is reviewed periodically due to changes in the value of rupee.

Proposed Amendments to Reservation Policies

On 7th January 2018, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, proposed a constitutional amendment to introduce 10 additional reservation slots for economically backward general category individuals. These amendments aim to provide direct admission in government jobs and higher education institutions to these economically weaker individuals.

The proposed constitutional amendments would affect Article 14 and 15 of the Constitution. These amendments seek to extend the reservation quota to economically backward individuals within the general category, thus bringing them under the umbrella of reservations.

Impact of Proposed Amendments

The proposed amendments would increase the overall reservation quota from 50% to 60%. Currently, the existing reservation quotas are as follows:

Schedule Caste (SC) 15% Schedule Tribe (ST) 7.5% Other Backward Classes (OBC) 27%

This means that the 10% quota would be added on top of the existing 50%, thereby taking the total reservation percentage to 60%.

Who Qualifies as Economically Backward People?

According to the criteria set by the government, a person is considered economically weaker if:

Total annual income is below ?8 lac Own home size is smaller than 1000 square feet Own agricultural land is less than 5 hectares Residential plots in notified municipalities are less than 109 yards Residential plots in non-notified municipalities are less than 209 yards

Reservations in Education and Employment

For higher education and job sectors, reservation for general category individuals would be provided in a manner similar to that seen for ST, SC, and OBC categories. This means that within universities and colleges, the 10% quota would be reserved for economically backward general category individuals.

In the job sector, direct admission to government jobs could be provided to general category individuals who meet the criteria for EWS.

Process of Constitutional Amendment

To implement these changes, a bill will need to be presented in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Once passed, it will be presented to the President of India for approval. The amendment aims to increase the representation of economically weaker sections within educational and employment scenarios, while ensuring that existing reservation policies are not compromised.

Conclusion

The proposed amendments to reservation policies bring a new dimension to the existing framework by targeting economically disadvantaged individuals within the general category. While these changes aim to provide a more inclusive and equitable society, they also challenge the existing reservation system.

Given the complexity and importance of these issues, it is crucial for all stakeholders to stay informed and engaged in the ongoing debates and discussions surrounding these changes.