How Does the Reservation Policy Work in India?
In India, a reservation policy is followed in order to provide social justice, equality, and fair representation in education and employment opportunities for the historically oppressed and marginalized communities. This reservation policy is also known as affirmative action or positive discrimination. The reservation policy in India has been in place since 1950 and has been amended several times over the years to address the needs of various communities.The Indian constitution provides for reservation of seats in education institutions and public sector employment for the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The reservation policy in India aims to ensure that these historically disadvantaged groups have equal access to opportunities in education and employment.
The Reservation Policy for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India
Scheduled Castes are the communities that have been subjected to social, economic, and educational backwardness and exclusion for generations. The Scheduled Tribes are the communities that are indigenous to India and are also subjected to social, economic, and educational backwardness.The reservation policy for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India is as follows:- 15% of seats in higher educational institutions are reserved for scheduled castes.- 7.5% of seats in higher educational institutions are reserved for scheduled tribes.- 15% of vacancies in government jobs are reserved for scheduled castes.- 7.5% of vacancies in government jobs are reserved for scheduled tribes.
The Reservation Policy for Other Backward Classes in India
The Other Backward Classes (OBC) are the communities that are socially and educationally backward but do not belong to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. The reservation policy for OBC in India is as follows:- 27% of seats in higher educational institutions are reserved for OBC.- 27% of vacancies in government jobs are reserved for OBC.The OBC category is further classified into two categories:- OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer): Those who have an annual income of less than 8 lakhs.- OBC-CL (Creamy Layer): Those who have an annual income of more than 8 lakhs.Only the OBC-NCL category is eligible for reservation benefits.
Challenges to the Reservation Policy in India
The reservation policy in India has been the subject of much debate and controversy over the years. Some of the main challenges to the reservation policy in India include:
Opposition from General Category
One of the main criticisms of the reservation policy in India is that it discriminates against the general category. The general category includes individuals who do not belong to the SC, ST, OBC categories. Some individuals argue that the reservation policy hinders their chances of getting into educational institutions or government jobs.
Caste-Based Reservation
Another issue with the reservation policy in India is that it is caste-based. While the policy aims to provide opportunities for historically oppressed and marginalized communities, it also leads to discrimination based on caste. Some communities believe that the reservation policy has not been able to eradicate caste-based discrimination.
Creamy Layer Issue
The Creamy Layer issue is another challenge to the reservation policy in India. The Creamy Layer refers to the members of the OBC category who are economically and socially advanced and do not need reservation benefits. The inclusion of Creamy Layer individuals in the OBC category and their eligibility for reservation benefits undermines the purpose of the reservation policy.
Conclusion
The reservation policy in India is aimed at providing social justice, equality, and fair representation in education and employment for historically oppressed and marginalized communities. It has been in place since 1950 and has been amended several times over the years to address the needs of various communities. Despite the challenges it faces, the reservation policy has helped millions of individuals belonging to the SC, ST, and OBC categories to get access to educational and employment opportunities. However, there is still scope for improvement in the reservation policy to address concerns like the Creamy Layer issue and the discrimination based on caste.