Reservation & the 50% Cap

The core principle behind the concept of reservation lies in preserving merit while simultaneously uplifting the socially suppressed.

Reservation has perpetually been a contentious issue in India's post-independence history. Initially conceived to rectify disparities in India's social structure and elevate suppressed classes, it has evolved into more of a theoretical construct. The idea of granting reservation for a limited 10-year period has undergone constant scrutiny by intellectuals in successive governments. They've found that continuing reservation remains beneficial, as equality has not yet been entirely achieved. However, the political landscape has ingrained the belief among Indians that even after 75 years of independence, complete eradication of reservation is an unattainable dream, largely due to the interplay of politics.

The infrequent revision of reservation percentages, owing to the lack of a caste census for allocating percentages among various socially and educationally backward sections, diverges from the intended concept of promoting equality and prosperity among Indian citizens. The recent caste census conducted by the Nitish government in Bihar represents a significant step in understanding the current situations of different classes and castes. This census could potentially aid in revising reservation percentages based on the present needs of these communities. For instance, if the survey reveals substantial progress among a particular caste in the OBC quota, indicating they no longer require reservation, the government should remove that caste from the 27% reservation quota. Conversely, if the survey identifies a marginalized caste, inclusion in the reservation system, while adjusting other communities reservations without breaching the 50% cap, becomes imperative. However, the reconfiguration of reservation percentages to reach 75% seems more emblematic of pseudo-intellectualism among the so-called intellectuals and power bearers. The caste census, coupled with a population census conducted every decade, becomes pivotal in revising the reservation system to ensure merit and welfare align with present needs.

Agitations by various communities regarding reservations are not new; they have become routine since the Mandal Commission recommended a 27% reservation for the OBC community in 1979. With nearly all states reaching the 50% mark, excluding the 10% reservation for the EWS community separately mandated by the central government, and some states even surpassing the 50% cap, India faces challenges in achieving progress within a reasonable timeframe. The concept of reservation to foster social equality among different sections of society, maintaining the essence of a welfare state, is indeed justified. Yet, questioning the idea of merit and surpassing the 50% cap—set as a significant parameter by the Supreme Court in the Indira Sawhney vs Union of India case in 1992 to preserve the essence of welfare—must be approached with utmost caution.

The road ahead involves a balanced and informed approach, utilizing census data to refine the reservation system without compromising the intended essence of fostering equality and preserving the nation's welfare-oriented model. It's imperative to explore this in greater depth, considering historical contexts and present realities, to chart a course that maintains both the principles of merit and social upliftment while adhering to the set cap of 50% as a crucial parameter."