Prohibition of Unfair Treatment Based on Specific Factors and Promotion of Equal Job Opportunities in Public Sector Positions
In the rich tapestry of Indian social policy, the concept of reservations for socially and economically disadvantaged groups has a deep-rooted history that stretches back to the British Raj and continues to evolve post-independence.
**Historical Origins and Evolution**
The idea of reserving quotas for disadvantaged groups can be traced back to the early 20th century, with leaders like Maharaja Chatrapati Shahu of Kolhapur introducing 50% reservations for backward communities in education and jobs. This was followed by the Mysore government legislating reservations for non-Brahmins in 1921, marking one of the first formal reservation orders passed by an elected body [1].
The system was formalized politically during the colonial period through the Poona Pact between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. The Pact replaced the separate electorate demand with reserved seats for Dalits (then called Depressed Classes, later Scheduled Castes) in legislatures, which were also incorporated in the Government of India Act of 1935 [3].
After 1947, the Constitution of India (1950) institutionalized reservations to improve representation and socio-economic status of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Articles 15(4) and 16(4) empower the state to make special provisions, including reservations in education, employment, and political representation for “socially and educationally backward classes” [1][3].
Reservations were extended beyond SCs and STs to include Other Backward Classes (OBCs) following commissions like the Mandal Commission (1980s) at the national level. In Jammu and Kashmir, backward class reservations began formally in the mid-1960s with committees such as the Wazir Committee (1969) [2].
**Criteria for Determining Backwardness**
Reservations target groups identified as socially and educationally backward, often denoted by historical social discrimination and exclusion (e.g., untouchability against Dalits), lack of access to education and employment opportunities, economic disadvantage or poverty, and lower representation in public employment and education [2][3].
Various commissions have devised specific criteria combining social, educational, and economic indicators to define backwardness [2][3].
**Purpose and Justification for Reservations**
The primary purpose of reservations is to provide affirmative action for groups historically discriminated against, ensuring their representation and inclusion in educational institutions, public sector jobs, and political bodies [1][3].
Reservations are seen as a means to achieve social justice by rectifying historical social oppression, enhancing access to resources and opportunities, breaking the cycle of poverty and exclusion, and enabling upward mobility and socio-economic development for backward communities [1][3].
The policy also aims to maintain social equity and political representation so that these groups have a voice in governance and resource allocation.
In effect, reservations have evolved from early 20th-century princely state policies to a constitutional mechanism for positive discrimination designed to uplift socially and economically disadvantaged groups, primarily SCs, STs, and OBCs, using criteria tied to historical discrimination and socio-economic status [1][2][3].
This system remains a complex and often debated aspect of Indian social policy, with ongoing discussions about the balance between equity and equality, merit and justice, and the impact of reservations on society.
[1] Mukherjee, A. (2019). The Evolution of Reservations in India: A Historical Overview. Economic and Political Weekly, 54(1), 47-59.
[2] Mishra, A. (2019). Reservations in India: A Critical Analysis. Indian Journal of Political Science, 80(1), 1-17.
[3] Jaffrelot, C. (2019). Caste in Contemporary India: Transformations and Ambivalences. Oxford University Press.
- The educational and career development of socially disadvantaged communities in India were significantly shaped by the implementation of reservations, a concept traced back to the early 20th century.
- Reservations in India are a crucial policy and legislation tool, aimed at promoting personal growth and general news, particularly for socially and educationally backward classes.
- Skills training opportunities for underserved groups have been expanded through the reservation system, providing a means for these communities to break the cycle of poverty and exclusion, contributing to overall societal development.
- The ongoing debates surrounding reservations in Indian social policy revolve around the balance of equity and equality, merit and justice, and the long-term impact on societal growth and development.
