DAMODARAM SANJIVAYYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

VISAKHAPATNAM, A.P., INDIA

CASTE RESERVATION IN INDIA

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Mrs. NIRMALA DEVI

NIKHIL JAIN
2015078 I semester
 UNITED NATION INITIATIVES ON JUVENILE PROGRAM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have made my project titled “CASTE RESERVATION IN INDIA” under the supervision of
prof. Nirmala Devi., Faculty Lecturer, Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University. I find
no words to express my sense of gratitude for Soma mam for providing the necessary guidance at
every step during the completion of this project.

I am also grateful to the office, librarian and library staff of DSNLU, Visakhapatnam for
allowing me to use their library whenever I needed to. Further I am grateful to my learned
teachers for their academic patronage and persistent encouragement extended to me.  I am once
again highly indebted to the office and Library Staff of DSNLU for the support and cooperation
extended by them from time to time. I cannot conclude with recording my thanks to my friends
for the assistance received from them in the preparation of this project.
 ABSTRACT

Reservation in India is a form of affirmative action designed to improve the wellbeing of

perceived backward and underrepresented communities in India. Enrolment in educational
institutions and job placements are reserved based on a variety of criteria like caste, gender,
religion etc. Quota system is definitely not going to uplift the really backward people. In this
article, various arguments in favor and against reservation are described in the tabulated form.
Also, possible solutions to most of shortcomings of the existing reservation policies are
discussed, without compromising the interests of either those who are enjoying protection under
reservation or those who are not covered through reservation. Moreover, two alternative
proposals with model of implementation are advocated for handling reservation-related issue in
the country. It can expedite the pace of empowerment of weaker sections by gently prodding
them to improve their performance level. It can also gradually diminish the intensity of
reservation related conflicts among various stake holders. Only thereafter dream of creating real
equality among all citizens of the country can be materialized.
 Table of Content

TABLE OF CONTENTS

S. no. CONTENTS Pg no.

` INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
RESEAARCH METHODOLOGY
REASON FOR SELECTING THE TOPIC
SCOPE OF THE STUDY

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

RESERVATION DURING POST INDEPENDENCE PERIOD

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION AND RESERVATION POLICY
INSTITUTIONAL FOR IMPLEMENTING AND MONITOR THE
RESERVATION POLICY
STATUS OF SCHEDULED CASTES, SCHEDULED TRIBES AND
OTHER BACKWARD CLASS IN PUBLIC POLICY
IMPACT OF RESERVATION POLICY ON EMPLOYMENT AND
EDUCATION
STATAE/ UT GOVERNMENTS VIEWS ON RESERVATIONS
NEGATIVE EFFECT OF CASTE RESERVATION IN INDIA

SUGGESTION
CONCLUSION

BIBILOGRAPHY
Objectives of study: In this topic researcher would analyze caste reservation under the Indian
constitution. Researcher would also analyze that on what basis reservation is given to the
backward classes in India.

Research Methodology- This research is based on doctrinal research. I would be doing my

research from data collected from secondary sources which will include materials available on
the internet and books, magazines and journals available in the library. The research will be
deductive in nature and the footnoting style will be as per the established standard of the
University.

Reasons for selecting this topic: The reason behind selecting this topic is that to know about
each and every aspect or reservation in India. This topic is clearly based on Political Science.

Introduction: -

India being a developing nation is currently facing many challenges and the reservation system
being one of them. Caste reservation became an instrument to divide the society on caste-basis,
creating various walls between different sections of the society. At present. society divided
widely into many caste like Hindu, Muslim, SC, ST & OBCs with newer reservations coming up
for other different sections of the society like Christians, Kashmiris, Jats, Kashmiri Pandits,
Tribal etc.1 The primary stated objective of the Indian reservation system is to increase the
opportunities for enhanced social and educational status of the underprivileged communities and
thus uplift their lifestyle to have their place in the mainstream of Indian society. The reservation
system exists to provide opportunities for the members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled

1
http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2011/02/educational-reservations-india-solutions/
Tribes to increase their political representation in the State Legislatures, the Executive Organ of
the Union (Centre) and States, the labour force, schools, colleges, and other public institutions.

Reservation in India is the process of setting aside a certain percentage of seats (vacancies) in
government institutions for members of backward and under-represented communities (defined
primarily by caste and tribe). Reservation is a form of quota-based affirmative action.
Reservation is governed by constitutional laws, statutory laws, and local rules and regulations.
Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), and in some
states Backward Classes among Muslims under a category called BC (M), are the primary
beneficiaries of the reservation policies under the Constitution – with the object of ensuring a
level playing field.

In India, there are two caste who get more reservation on caste. First is Scheduled castes and
second is Scheduled Tribes. The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are official
designations given to various groups of historically disadvantaged people in India. The terms are
recognized in the Constitution of India and the various groups are designated in one or other of
the categories. During the period of British rule in the Indian subcontinent, they were known as
the Depressed Classes. In modern literature, the Scheduled Castes are sometimes referred to as
Dalit’s.

The term Backward Classes was first used in the 1870s by the Madras Administration in the
framework of an affirmative action policy favoring the under-educated. The list of such classes
widened and grew from 39 to 131 by the 1920s.

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes comprise about 16.6 percent and 8.6 percent,
respectively, of India's population (according to the 2011 census). The Constitution (Scheduled
Castes) Order, 1950 lists 1,108 castes across 29 states in its First Schedule,[6] and the
Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 lists 744 tribes across 22 states in its First Schedule.

Since independence, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were given Reservation status,
guaranteeing political representation. The Constitution lays down the general principles of
affirmative action for SCs and STs.
Reservation system was started by Britishers to safeguard their rule in India. British, Indian
leaders and politicians kept doing same things ruling India with the same rules and principals of
British King. British people gave us few good things and few bad things. Bad things of caste
reservation like quota system, division on the basis of caste and religion, but our Indian rulers
also adopted same policy and ideas to create their own family rule forever in India .Before
Independence as well as after Independence also the situation on policy on caste reservation is
same. Britishers followed the policy was ‘divide and rule’. All political parties followed this
policy of Britishers. All political parties know that divide and rule policy based on castes and
religion will make them rich, will always help them hide their corruption or  bad deeds and they
are following it religiously.2

In India, caste reservation is also based on religion. According to the Constitution (Scheduled
Castes) Orders (Amendment) Act, 1990, Scheduled Castes can only belong to Hindu or Sikh or
Buddhist religions. There is no religion bar in case of Scheduled Tribes. The Sachar Committee
report of 2006 revealed that scheduled castes and tribes of India are not limited to the religion of
Hinduism. The 61st round Survey of the NSSO found that 90% of the Buddhists, one-third of the
Sikhs, and one-third of the Christians in India belonged to the notified scheduled castes or tribes
of the Constitution.

The meaning and origin of the word caste:-

The word "Caste" owes its origins to the Spanish word 'Casta' which means 'breed, race, strain or
a complex of hereditary qualities.' The Portuguese applied this term to the classes of people in
India, known by the name of 'jati.' The English word 'Caste' is an adjustment of the original term
'Casta.'
According to Williams, "Caste is a system in which an individual's rank and its accompanying
rights and obligations are ascribed on the basis of birth into a particular group."

Historical Background

In Ancient India

2
http://www.realityviews.in/2010/03/reservation-in-india-brief-history.html
Hindu society is divided into four Varna, or classes, a convention which had its origins in the Rig
Veda, the first and most important set of hymns in Hindu scripture which dates back to 1500-
1000 B.C. At the top of the hierarchy are the Brahmins, or priests, followed by the Kshatriyas, or
warriors. The Vaisyas, the farmers and artisans, constitute the third class. At the bottom are the
Shudras, the class responsible for serving the three higher groups. Finally, the Untouchables fall
completely outside of this system. It is for this reason that the untouchables have also been
termed avarna (“no class”). Jati, or caste, is a second factor specifying rank in the Hindu social
hierarchy. Jatis are roughly determined by occupation. In India, caste system divided further into
sub castes and sub-sub castes. This is also the case among untouchables

The reservation system finds its origin in the age-old caste system of India. The caste system at
its birth was meant to divide people on the basis of their occupation like teaching and preaching
(Brahmins), kingship and war (Kshatriya) and lastly business (vaish) etc. In Ancient India, Jatis
in the three highest Varna’s in the hierarchy—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas—are
considered “twice-born” according to Hindu scripture, meaning they are allowed to participate in
Hindu ceremonies and are considered more “pure” than the Shudras and “polluting”
untouchables.

According to Andre Beteille: -“caste is a small and named group of persons characterized by
endogamy, hereditary membership, and a specific style of life which sometimes includes the
pursuit by tradition of a particular occupation and is usually associated with a more or less
distinct ritual status in a hierarchical system3”.

The idea of caste based reservation system was envisioned by William Hunter and Jyotirao Phule
in various forms in 1882 and implemented by Chatrapati Sahuji in 1901. The term was changed
to "Depressed Class" in 1932 by Ambedkar and later to "Scheduled Caste/Tribes" during the
framing of the constitution in 1950. The idea was that a vast majority of the poor were from a
very small caste group and they needed a social net so that they can be accommodated into
society as full-fledged members. The notification for caste reservation issued in 1902 to created
50% reservation in services for backward classes/communities in the State of Kolhapur. This

3
Andre Beteille, Caste, Class and Power: Changing Patterns of Stratification in a Tanjore Village (Delhi: Oxford
University Press, 1996), 46.
notification is the first Govt. Order providing for reservation for the welfare of depressed classes
in India.4

Reservation during pre-independence period:

After 18th Century, untouchables were barred from entering temples, drawing water from upper-
caste wells, and all social interaction with upper-caste Hindus (Including dining in the same
room). These social rules were strictly imposed and violators, were severely punished; some
were even killed.

Policies involving reservation of seats for the marginalized section of the population have been
in existence in the country for a long period of time. In the late 19th century, after the “first war
of independence”, the British began to view the Indian population as a heterogeneous group.
They initiated a range of policies for specific categories of the subject population – religious
minorities as well as those belonging to lower castes. By the late 19th century the British had
started preparing a list of “depressed classes” and they set up scholarships, special schools and
other programs for their betterment. In Bombay, seats were reserved for all except Brahmins,
Marwari’s, Banias, Parsis and Christians. In 1927 in Madras presidency, government reserved
five of every 12 jobs for non-Brahmin Hindus, two each for Brahmins, Christians and Muslims
and one for others. A few princely states like Baroda, Travancore and Kolhapur also introduced
similar provisions. In Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Sahuji Maharaj reserved 50 per cent of the vacant
seats in his administration for non-Brahmins.

For the welfare of backward class, there are many provision came into effect from 1900 to 1947.
Such as, In 1908-Reservations were introduced in favor of a number of castes and communities
that had little share in the administration by the British. In 1909- Provisions were made in the
Government of India Act 1909 commonly known as the Morley-Minto Reforms. IN 1919 -
Provisions were made in the Government of India Act 1919. In 1921-Madras Presidency
introduces Communal G O in which reservation of 44 per cent for non-Brahmins, 16 per cent for
Brahmins, 16 per cent for Muslims, 16 per cent for Anglo-Indians/ Christians and eight per cent

4
http://www.realityviews.in/2010/03/reservation-in-india-brief-history.html
for Scheduled Castes. In 1935-Indian national congress passes resolution called Poona Pact to
allocate separate electoral constituencies or depressed classes.

Reservations during post-independence period: -

Reservation for Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes

Reservation in services in favor of SCs and STs 2.3. At the time of independence, instructions
were issued on September 21, 1947 to provide reservations of 12.5 per cent for scheduled castes
in respect of vacancies arising in recruitment made through open competition. However, for
recruitments made otherwise than open competition, reservation of 16.66 per cent was fixed.
After the Constitution was promulgated, the then ministry of home affairs in its resolution of
September 13, 1950 provided five per cent reservation for scheduled tribes apart from the
reservation that was already in effect for the scheduled castes.

According to the population ratio of these communities, based on the 1961 Census, government
on March 25, 1970 increased the seats reserved for SCs and STs from 12.5 per cent and five per
cent to 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively. Scheduled Castes reservation is also available to
Sikhs and Buddhists and Scheduled Tribes to all minorities, as Scheduled Tribes identity is
caste/religion-neutral. Caste reservation limitation of direct recruitment not exceeding 50 per
cent was raised to 66.66 per cent in 1976 and to 75 per cent in 1989. At this stage, the Supreme
Court intervened and ruled against reservations in promotions. However, the government
amended the Constitution to incorporate Article 16(4A) and following this amendment,
government is sued instructions on August 13, 1997 to continue the reservations in promotion for
the SCs and STs till such time as the representation of each of these categories in each cadre
reaches the prescribed percentages.

Reservations in services in favor of other backward classes (OBCs)

The princely state of Mysore instituted a system in which all communities other than Brahmins
were denominated “backward classes” from 1918 and places were reserved for them in colleges
and state services. In independent India, several states implemented the reservation in services
and admissions in educational institutions in favor of backward classes much earlier than the
Government of India. Government of India took initiatives for providing reservation to the
backward classes immediately after the commencement of the Constitution.

The first Backward Classes Commission, also known as Kaka Kalelkar Commission, was
constituted in 1953. The commission submitted its report in 1955. Though the commission
recognized a number of causes for social and educational backwardness. The Kaka Kalelkar
commission listed 2,399 castes as socially and educationally backward and recommended
various welfare measures for OBCs, including reservation in government services and
educational institutions. The central government did not accept its recommendations because the
caste based reservations were considered a retrograde step.

In 1979 the second Backward Classes Commission, popularly known as Mandal Commission.
The commission submitted its report to the government on December 31, 1980. The commission
used 1931 Census data and 11 indicators, grouped under social, educational and economic
criteria, for identifying backward classes. This commission estimated the population of other
backward classes (OBCs) at 52 per cent of the total population. Recommendations of the second
Backward Classes Commission (Mandal report) were implemented by the Government of India
on August 13, 1990, providing inter alia reservation of 27 per cent of the vacancies in civil posts
and services under the central government.

Reservation in admissions in educational institutions: -

Education was the first and foremost commandment of Dr. BR Ambedkar and he called it the
“milk of the lioness”.

Education is also one of the most important criteria to measure the forwardness or backwardness
of any group of persons. Many social reformers and princely states of Kolhapur, Baroda and
Mysore realized the need for education and they rendered their contribution in providing
educational facilities to the untouchables and other backward classes. Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule
was the first person in India who started a school for the untouchables in Pune in 1848. Sahuji
Maharaj Bhonsle encouraged the non-brahmanical classes in every possible way. He provided
free education with lodging, boarding and scholarship to the students belonging to these
communities. At the official level, the step was taken by the Madras government by framing the
Grant-in-Aid Code in 1885 so as to regulate financial aid to the educational institutions providing
special facilities to the students of depressed classes. Under British India, the provision for
extension of education to the “depressed classes” was made much later.

after independence, specific guidelines to the states to take special care of the educational and
economic conditions of the weaker sections, particularly those belonging to the scheduled castes
and scheduled tribes, were given under Article 46, yet there was no provision to provide
reservation in admissions in educational institutions under the Constitution in the beginning. The
government of Madras made rules for reserving seats for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes
and other backward classes. However, the validity of the said rule was challenged in State of
Madras v. Smt. Champakam Dorairajan 5and the Supreme Court declared such rule as
unconstitutional. To overcome the situation arisen after the court Judgment, the Constitution (1st
Amendment) Act 1951 was passed by inserting clause (4) in Article 15. It empowered the state
to make special provision for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes,
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

The then ministry of education, now ministry of human resource development, for the first time
in 1954 wrote to the state governments suggesting that 20 per cent seats should be reserved for
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in admissions in educational institutions with a provision
of five per cent relaxation in minimum qualifying marks wherever required. Subsequently, this
was modified in April 1964 by bifurcating the existing percentage as 15 per cent for scheduled
castes and five per cent for scheduled tribes with interchangeable provision in the event of non-
fulfilment of seats according to quota.

University Grants Commission, which was constituted in 1956, made provision towards
reservation in admission in the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in favor of scheduled
castes and scheduled tribes with due relaxation and concession. The percentage of reservation

5
AIR 1951 SC 525
was revised in 1982 as 15 per cent for scheduled castes and 7.5 per cent for scheduled tribes.
Presently, reservations are available to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in admissions to the
various undergraduate and postgraduate general, technical, medical and other professional
courses in the universities and colleges.

Constitutional provisions and reservation policy: -

Every Constitution has philosophy of its own. The Preamble of our Constitution proclaims the

resolution of PEOPLE OF INDIA to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST,
SECULAR AND DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social,
economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY
of status and opportunity; and to promote among them all ;FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of
the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation. The ward 'social justice' in the Preamble
implies recognition of greater good to a larger number without deprivation of legal rights of
anybody.
The Constitution adopted a two-fold strategy for ensuring equality for the “depressed classes”.
On one hand it provided equality before the law, ensuring that everyone, irrespective of their
caste, will receive equal protection of the law and be treated alike. There are many constitutional
provision for development of education and economic interest for SC’s, ST’s and other backward
classes. Constitutional provision such as: -

(I) Article 14 –

Right to equality: requires “the state not to deny any person equality before the law or the equal
protection of the laws within the territory of India”. Thus Article 14 uses the following two
expressions:

(i) Equality before law, and

(ii) Equal protection of laws.
 The objective of these expressions is to establish ‘equality of status’ as mentioned in the
preamble to the Constitution. This right to equality provides access to public resources, such as
drinking water, well, roads, etc.

(II) Article 15 –

Prohibition against discrimination: prohibits discrimination on the ground of religion, race,

caste, sex or place of birth.

Article 15 was amended by the Constitution (1st Amendment) Act 1951 and a new clause,
(4), was inserted under Article 15 to undo the effect of the Supreme Court decision in State
of Madras v. Smt. Champakam Dorairajan, according to which reservation of seats for
different communities on the basis of caste and religion was held invalid. Article 15(4)
empowers the state to make any special provision for the advancement of any socially and
educationally backward class of citizen or the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

(III) Article 16 –

Equality of opportunity in public employment: stipulates the rule of equality of opportunities

in matters of public employment. According to clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Article 16, no
discrimination shall be made only on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, and
place of birth, residence or any of them in respect of any employment or appointment under
the state. But there are some exception in Article 16. Exception such as: -

Article 16 sub-clause 4 is for reservation of seats for backward classes of citizens. It states:
“Nothing in this article shall prevent the state from making any provision for the reservation
of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens, which, in the opinion of
the state, is not adequately represented in the services under the state. Articles 16(4A) and
16(4B) were also inserted by making amendments in the Constitution [through the] 81st
Amendment Act in 2000 and 85th Amendment Act in 2001 respectively.

In Indira Sawhney v. Union of India case the hon’ble Supreme Court of India give decision that
Article 16(4A) empowers the state to make provision for reservation in matters of promotion
under the state in favor of SCs and STs which, in the opinion of the state, are not adequately
represented in the services under the state.

The Constitution does not lay down any limit or specific percentage for reservation in favor of
scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and backward classes. Successive decisions of the Supreme
Court beginning with Balaji v. State of Mysore (1963) have fixed a general ceiling of 50 per cent
for all reservations taken together.

(IV) Articles 29 and 30 –

Article 29 and 30 are related to Minorities’ interests and educational institutions: These two
articles protect the cultural and educational rights of minorities (based on religion and language).

Article 29(2) imposes restriction on all educational institutions maintained by the state or
receiving aid out of state funds so as not to deny admission to any citizen on the ground only of
religion, race, caste, language or any of them. Here the underlying objective is to equip each
member of the weaker sections with the ability to compete with other citizens with dignity on a
level playing field.

(V) Article 46 –

Article 46 in the Directive Principle of State policy of the Constitution of India is related to ‘ Promotion
of educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and other weaker sections’.

Hon’ble Supreme Court, in the case of Shantistar Builders v. Narayan Khimalal Totame, directed the
central government to lay down appropriate guidelines regarding the expression “weaker
sections of the society.

(VI) Article 335 –

Claims of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes to services and posts and maintenance of
efficiency of administration: While Article 16(4) enables the state to make provision for
reservations in favor of SCs, STs and OBCs, Article 335 imposes responsibility on the state to
ensure the maintenance of efficiency of administration.

Accordingly, a proviso to Article 335 has been inserted by the Constitution (82nd Amendment
Act) 2000 so as to overcome the crisis arising after the Supreme Court decision in S. Vinod
Kumar v. Union of India. It empowers the state to make any provision in favor of SCs and STs
for the relaxation of marks or lowering of standards for reservation in promotions.

Institutional for implement and monitor the reservation policy: -

There are many institution for the welfare of back ward community which is given by
Constitution of India. The central government has developed administrative mechanisms for
regulating, monitoring and implementing the reservation policy and other programs. At the
national level there are the ministry of social justice and empowerment, ministry of tribal affairs,
ministry of minority affairs and Planning Commission (Backward Caste Division) as the nodal
set-up for policy formulation, finalization and implementation of the programs for the
development of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes.

(I) National Commission for Scheduled Castes:

This commission set up under Article 338 of the Constitution as a high-level independent
constitutional body to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for
the scheduled castes under the Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or
under any order of the government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards

(II) National Commission for Scheduled Tribes:-

This commission set up under Article 338A of the Constitution as a high-level independent
constitutional body to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for
the scheduled tribes under the Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or
under any order of the government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards.

(III) National Commission for Backward Classes:-

In pursuance of the direction of the Supreme Court, the Government of India enacted the
National Commission for Backward Classes Act 1993 (Act No. 27 of 1993) and set up the
National Commission for Backward Classes at the center. Section 9(1) of the act provides that it
shall “examine the requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists
and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward class in such lists and
tender such advice to the central government as it deems appropriate.

(IV) National Commission for Minorities:

This commission is set up to perform its statutory functions and to safeguard the interest of five
religious minority communities i.e. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Parsis which are
notified under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992.

Status of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs in public services: -

Representation of OBCs in different sectors of the economy:-

Data provided by NSSO in its 1999-2000 survey results show that other backward classes have a
much higher percentage of representation in different sectors of the economy vis-à-vis their share
of 27 per cent agreed to. Further, comparing the share in jobs of other communities with SCs,
STs, OBCs, it is seen that excepting in professional and managerial jobs where OBCs have a
share which is close to the percentage of reservation agreed to for them, in other categories of
jobs such as services and production, OBCs have a higher percentage share than the Hindus. In
fact, in almost all major jobs, OBCs are present in reasonable numbers.

Literacy and educational status of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes
Framers of our Constitution were aware of the need for the state to promote education amongst
all and especially amongst weaker sections of the population. Hence a number of safeguards
have been provided in the Constitution under Article 15(4), Article 29(1), Article 46, for
educational development of the weaker sections of society. The Supreme Court of India in its
judgment in the Unnikrishnan case (1993) held that all citizens have a fundamental right to
education up to 14 years of age. Accordingly, the Constitution was amended to make education a
fundamental right of all children between six-14 years.

After the amendment in education in 1993 then the improvement in the literacy rate, enrolment
of the students at the primary stage has also gone up. The enrolment of scheduled caste and
scheduled tribe students has been progressively higher than their proportion in the population.
The relative position of different religious communities with regard to their educational level
varies vis-à-vis the national average. Muslims (65.31 per cent) are better off at the primary level
of education but their proportion slides down at the senior secondary (4.53 per cent) and
graduation level (3.60 per cent). As against this, while Christians at the primary level (45.79 per
cent) are lower than the national average, their share increases at the senior secondary (8.70 per
cent) and graduation (8.71 per cent) level. Other religions follow almost the national average
level.

Impact of reservation policy on employment and education: -

The policy of reservation had a salutary effect in terms of induction of scheduled castes,
scheduled tribes and other backward classes into public sector employment and in educational
institutions.

Reservation did not provide equal opportunities within each group/community to all
beneficiaries. Consequently, different castes and tribes within a group/community have not
benefited from reservation equally. Almost in all categories of beneficiaries among scheduled
castes, scheduled tribes or other backward classes and minorities, there is a growing sense of
deprivation amongst different categories, which is leading to internal dissension. For example,
Chamars in Uttar Pradesh and Mahars in Maharashtra are said to have benefited from the
reservations more than other castes identified in the schedule from these regions

The benefits of reservations is taken by many caste by many wrongful methods. There are
Ezhavas in Kerala, Nadars and Thevars in Tamil Nadu, Vokkalligas and Lingayats in Karnataka,
Lodhs and Koeris in Central India, Yadavs and Kurmis in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and Jats in
Rajasthan, which, despite their dominant status, have been clubbed as backward classes eligible
for benefits under reservations. For these reasons, reservation has become a contentious issue
today.

Reservation for minorities has been provided by the state governments of Kerala and Karnataka.
Kerala provides 10 per cent reservation in educational institutions and 12 per cent reservation in
employment for Muslims as well as two per cent reservation in educational institutions and four
per cent reservation in employment for Christians/LCs/Anglo-Indians. Karnataka provides four
per cent reservation in educational institutions and four per cent reservation in employment for
Muslims.

The government of Andhra Pradesh also passed an act providing five per cent reservation for
Muslims but this was back down by apex court of specific recommendations by the state
Backward Classes Commission.

State/UT Governments views on reservations:-

During the visits of the commission to the states/UTs the commission had inter alia interactions
with the chief ministers and governors of certain states and the views expressed on the issue of
reservation during these visits are as under:

(i) Education is the only means to address the problem of reservation in services and those
who are economically poor should be provided with scholarships and other facilities to
enable them to continue their education, etc.
(ii) Quality of education should be improved right from the school stage
(iii) Exclusion of communities from the Scheduled lists should be a continuous process and
decadal surveys should be carried out regularly to review these lists to avoid misuse of
reservation policy.
(iv) Reservations to the deprived sections of society should be restricted to one generation
only.
(v) Reservation should be extended to the poorest in society irrespective of the religion one
pursues.
(vi) There is need for reservation in the private sector.
The commission in view of the foregoing has considered as:

Reservation was adopted as the means to provide opportunities in employment. While the
weaker sections should be given due opportunity, it is necessary to break the vicious circle of
limited sections cornering the opportunities. The sections of minorities belonging to SCs/STs are
availing of the reservation facility irrespective of their economic status, the minorities included
in the list of the Other Backward Castes do not get this facility.

Similarly, reservation on promotion is admissible to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes
and not to other backward castes.

In India, where there is still competition for admission to schools at the primary level and quality
education is a distant dream, the limited resources and facilities that are available must be
distributed fairly. There is need to provide greater opportunities for quality education at the
primary and secondary level (including coaching classes) to equip the weaker sections for
competing on merit along with others in recruitment to public employment.

The policy of reservations in the field of employment and education has a long and complex
history in India. There is a range of reservation policies. While there is a single central policy on
reservation, different states in India have devised their own polices and many of these differ
significantly from the central policy to ensure proper implementation of the reservation system,
constitution of a separate body – a high-powered commission – is recommended.

Effect of caste reservation in India: -

There are always two side of everything one is positive and second is negative. The positive side
of “Reservation” was to improve the conditions of the backward castes and communities of the
society but the effects of reservation have been severe and damaging. Negative effect of
reservation cannot neglected, negative side is create hampered in the development of any
country. There are many hindrances in development of any country such as: -

1.       Division of Society

We are a secular country and equality is must for secularism to survive. Dividing the population on the
basis of castes and religions has never done any good for the nation as a whole. As per the quota
system, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) are the primary
beneficiaries of the reservation policies under the Constitution. Their respective quotas in the education
system are 15%, 7.5% and 27%.

 2.       Discourages Performers

Students who put in the best of their efforts to make it in the merit are disheartened if they fail to
get an admission in a good college due to a reservation. They get discouraged and depressed and
such situations lead to frustration and suicidal attempts. Moreover, the reputation of the best
institutes in the nation has been deteriorating due to admissions of candidates based on quota and
not merit. The quality of professionals that IITs and IIMs are producing now is not up to the
standards they have created themselves.

3.       Used For Benefits

People don’t wish to work and study as they want to avail benefits of their caste. And hence, they
can never develop and prosper leaving the backward classes where there were without any
improvement. People also get fake certificates made to enjoy the benefits of reservation.
Politician also do politics on caste for getting more votes in election.

4.       Migration of Merits

When good students don’t find admissions in good colleges and good jobs due to reserve seats,
they prefer relocating themselves to other countries with better opportunities to perform and
make a better living totally based on their performance levels. This has forced many fertile brains
to leave the country and settle abroad.

There are various other impacts of this system that have affected the lives and careers of millions
of people across the country. It’s high time and this needs attention and amendment. With time
the society and the mind-set of the people have also changed and to match up to the present
needs to need to incorporate changes that can bring better results6.

6
https://moonmicrosystem1.wordpress.com/tag/effect-of-reservation-on-education/
Suggestion

Since the existing lists of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, have
not been scientifically prepared with proper survey and data on the socio-economic status of a
particular caste or class, the entire system of reservation as also of the SC, ST, OBC lists needs
to be overhauled. Since Below Poverty Line (BPL) lists are being prepared on the basis of
social/educational and economic criteria, these are more scientific. Changes/revisions are
possible periodically in this, as they are prepared after a regular survey which is not the case with
SC, ST, OBC categories.
Conclusion:-

In India, reservation done on the based caste. Anyone get the benefit of reservation through
making false document. In India, sometimes rich people get the benefits of reservation instead of
poor’s. Reservation is only for improvement the condition of poor’s in many aspects like
economy equality, in education sectors and in promotion etc. there are many constitutional
provision and many institutions for improvement of poor. But there are also many negative effect
of reservation. Through reservation which student get admission in colleges/universities and
which students are good and not able to take admission in institutions. Reservation is only given
to poor people based on his situation not on the based on caste and Government also do survey in
every two years. And then give the benefits of reservation who really wants.
Bibliography
https://www.google.co.in/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CFEQFjAJahUKEwix3ebMztrIAhUJKpQ
KHRTACYI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpersmin.gov.in%2Fotraining%2FUNDPProject
%2Fundp_modules%2FReservation%2520in
%2520Service.pdf&usg=AFQjCNECVD7NMPvar1-
2RcAIfu5VDs0Y7Q&sig2=arkkrwQXNue3MmSJ0-Ndfw

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheduled_Castes_and_Scheduled_Tribes

http://www.realityviews.in/2010/03/reservation-in-india-brief-history.html

https://www.google.co.in/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CFcQFjAKahUKEwix3
ebMztrIAhUJKpQKHRTACYI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ambedkar.org%2FNews
%2Freservationinindia.pdf&usg=AFQjCNElx6mm5g7fKDdzom7_0DK19sWKag&sig2=DF9P
Qxgx2jWqrvemPWoerA

http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2011/02/educational-reservations-india-solutions/

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/coming-full-circle-on-reservations-patels-demand-for-obc-
status-should-worry-india-2407116.html

http://www.realityviews.in/2010/03/reservation-in-india-brief-history.html

https://www.quora.com/India/What-are-your-views-on-caste-based-reservation-system-in-India

http://censusindia.gov.in/data_p...
http://www.censusindia.gov.in

http://www.minorityaffairs.gov.in
http://www.economist.com/node/14.
http://www.cgdev.org/content/pub...

https://books.google.co.in/books?
id=HFSsG8EeGJYC&pg=PA45&lpg=PA45&dq=historical+background+of+caste+reservation&
source=bl&ots=h9dRvHlo1d&sig=U0IXKIB44omDgNWlhpRMgvySr6U&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0
CEMQ6AEwBmoVChMI8JjwgveDyAIVzwWOCh3fJwWS#v=onepage&q=historical
%20background%20of%20caste%20reservation&f=false

https://books.google.co.in/books?id=HFSsG8EeGJYC&sitesec=buy&source=gbs_vpt_read

https://moonmicrosystem1.wordpress.com/tag/effect-of-reservation-on-education/