The Concept of Reservation in India

The Indian reservation system reserves a set number of seats (up to 50%) in government academic institutions, government offices, and certain groups such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. The then-current caste structure was a primary motive for introducing and expanding India’s Reservation Policy. 

The notion of assigning reserves to a given class of people arose due to the widespread atrocities committed against that class of people. The purpose of reservations in India was to provide them with equal opportunities and standing in society, improve them socially, put them on par with other sectors of society, and provide prosperity to the lower strata of society.

History of Reservation System in India:  

The History of the Reservation System in India passes many stages as follows-

• The State pursues reservation as a policy to some extent to rectify past injustices done to particular castes by the so-called “higher castes.” The Indian caste system has isolated many “lower castes” from the mainstream, limiting their growth. The consequences are still being noticed to a significant extent
• The original Indian Constitution only provided for legislative quotas — and only for ten years till 1960. (article 334). Subsequent constitutional changes prolonged the time of quota reservation in legislatures
• Reservation measures in educational institutions and government jobs – articles 15(4) and 16(4) – were also added subsequently through Changes To the constitution. The reservations mentioned in paragraphs 15(4) and 16(4) have no temporal restriction on their validity
• Initially, reservations were confined to SC and ST [articles 15(4) and 16(4)]. Later, OBCs were introduced to the reservation list in 1991 [Article 15(5)]. In 2019, Economically Weaker Sections are now covered [Articles 15(6) and 16(6)]

The Purpose of Reservation In India: 

The two primary purposes of reservations in India, according to the constitution as follows- 

• Progress of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) OR any socially and economically backward groups of people (Eg: OBC) OR financially deprived sections (EWS) – Articles 15 (4), 15 (5), and 15 (6) (6)
• Proper participation of any backward class of people OR economically disadvantaged sections (EWS) in State services. – Article 16 (4) and Article 16 (5) (6)

The Extent of Reservation in India:

The extent of Reservation in India  is available in the following causes:

• Government Educational Institutions (such as IITs and IIMs) – as described in Article 15 (4), (5), and (6)  
• Government Employment (such as IAS, IPS, and so on) – as defined in Articles 16 (4) and (6) (Parliament and State Legislature)

Before 2019, the reservation was largely based on socioeconomic and educational disadvantage (caste). However, the 103rd constitutional amendment in 2019 takes economic backwardness into account.

The extent of reservation in India is divided into three categories-

• SC/ST Reservation:

The purpose of reservations in India to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in services is not merely to provide jobs to members of these communities. Its fundamental purpose is to empower them and assure their participation in state decision-making. Furthermore, the state is ready to end practices like untouchability.

Scheduled Castes (SC) have a 15% reservation in jobs and higher education, while Schedule Tribes (ST) receive a 7.5% quota. Article 16(4A) provides reservations for recruitment posts and advancements for the SC/ST category.

• OBC Reservations:

The Mandal Commission Report introduced the Reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) (1991). OBCs get a 27% allocation in government jobs and higher educational facilities. The OBC reserve, on the other hand, has a ‘creamy layer’ concept. Only individuals from the Non-Creamy Layer would be able to make OBC reservations. The creamy layer concept excludes certain affluent OBC members from the degree of quota based on money and social standing. This approach also ensures that the advantages of reserving are not passed onto future generations. 

• EWS Reservation: 

The Central Government of India recently implemented EWS Reservation. In government work and educational institutes, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) are allowed a 10% reservation among General Category candidates. Incorporating necessary sections does this into the Indian Constitution (103rd Constitution Amendment Act, 2019) and the expansion of Reservation in India.

Conclusion: 

Reservation is one of the techniques used to combat societal oppression and injustice against specific groups. Reservation, also known as a positive action, aids in advancing underprivileged groups. Initially, the reservation was solely for SC/ST groups, only for ten years (1951-1961). However, it has subsequently been extended. Following the accumulation of the Mandal Commission report in 1990, the History of Reservation System in India was changed and included other  Backward Communities (OBCs) in the reservation framework.

The reservation’s advantages were gradually enjoyed exclusively by a few groups ignoring the genuinely deserving ones. Even after 70 years of freedom, the need for reservations has only grown. These intentions violate the purpose of reservation in India. Things have grown more difficult with the addition of economic reasons for a reservation to the already existing caste criteria.