Global

Perspective project
Topic: Education and
caste reservation
policy
In India
By: Meher Bagadia
8-F
Roll no. 1
In central government funded higher education institutions, 22.5% of available
seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students
(7.5% for STs, 15% for SCs,20% for ESC,12% for SCA,16% for SCB,22% for
SCC,18% for SCD). As per Article 46 of the Constitution of India, States will
have to promote and protect the educational and economic interests of
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
It shall protect Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from Social Injustice
and all forms of exploitation. This clause enables the states to make any special
provision, by law, for the advancement of any socially and educationally
backward classes of citizens or the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes in
so far as such special provisions relate to their admission to educational
institutions including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided
by the State, other than the minority educational institutions referred to in
clause(1) of the Article 30. The validity of this amendment was upheld by the
honourable Supreme Court in Ashok Kumar Thakur v. Union of India.
Reservations for the persons with benchmark disabilities are made mandatory
through persons with Disabilities Act,2016(Section 32) for the educational
institutions receiving aid from the governments. This Reservation shall be a
minimum of 5% of total seats. Till 2019, Social and Educational backwardness
was the sole criterion for the reservations. But by 103rd amendment states were
enabled to make reservations for the economically weaker section of the
society. This reservation will be additional 10% to the existing reservations i.e.,
50% (as stated by supreme court in ‘MANDAL’ case) +10%=60% of the total
seats. The petition challenging this amendment is pending.
The petition challenging this amendment is pending before the Honourable
Supreme Court. Scheduled Castes (SC) are given 15% quota in jobs/higher
educational institutions while Schedule Tribes (ST) are given 7.5% quota in
jobs/higher educational institutions.
CATEGORY RESERVATION IN PERCENTAGE
(%)
Scheduled Caste 15%
Scheduled Tribe 7.5%
Other Backward Class (OBC) 27%
Economically Weaker Sections 10%
(EWS)
Scheduled Castes (SC) are given 15% quota in jobs/higher educational
institutions while Schedule Tribes (ST) are given 7.5% quota in jobs/higher
educational institutions. Caste-Based Reservation in Education is
unquestionably beneficial if it is used as a form of appropriate positive
discrimination for the advantage of the oppressed and economically
disadvantage. To ensure that equal representation can be seen from people
belonging to all castes in the services under the state and centre. To provide an
equal platform for everyone irrespective of their caste. To promote and advance
the backward classes.

Accordingly, the Constitution provides for protective discrimination under

article 15 and 16 in the form of providing reservation in higher education and
services under the State to accelerate the process of building an egalitarian
social order. Strengthening casteism: Moreover, the reservation system only
divides the society leading to discrimination and conflicts between different
sections since it is oppressive and does not find its basis in casteism. It is
promoting. Economic and social benefits should be given to all sections of the
society.

More benefits should be given to the underprivileged children. Agitations and

aspirations of the underprivileged families of a general caste should be taken
care of. Their griefs should be properly redressed.

Advantages of Reservation System in India

Implementation of justice and human rights: It has encouraged the people to

fight for justice whenever there is a violation of their human rights. Economic
balance in the society: Reservation has slowed down the process of forward
becoming richer and backward becoming poorer.

Advantages Disadvantages

Equal representation from the

It encourages casteism.
different sections of society.

Equal opportunities are given to Chances of creating more castes in the

deserving candidates. society instead of eliminating it.
https://www.aplustopper.com/advantages-and-
disadvantages-of-reservation-system-in-india/
RESERVATION IN PERCENTAGE (%)
10.00%
15.00%

7.50%

27.00%

Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe

Other Backward Class (OBC) Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

RESERVATION IN PERCENTAGE (%)

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%
Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe Other Backward Economically
Class (OBC) Weaker Sections
(EWS)