Whether to have a reservation/quota system or not is still a debatable question in India. The Indian Constitution has a law for the same and according to this; reservation has been made to bring underprivileged classes at par with privileged or general ones. There are numerous reservations like reservation for women, reservation for physically challenged, reservation for economically backward class, reservation for Scheduled Castes etc. Though, reservation system is an evident discrimination, but it had been started with a very good objective of uplifting the socially backward society to give them equality of opportunities. But with time its meaning and the way it has been taken by the people has left many of us to believe that it has stopped delivering for what it was made. People have started misusing it. There are many examples of people making false documents just to get a seat in a college or a job. This leaves the more eligible candidate to give their seat to a person belonging to a reserve category.

What has led to the formulation of reservation system in India? The deep rooted caste system in India is the actual cause of the reservation system. It led to the total segregation of our society and to equalize this, the idea of reservation came into existence after independence. Hence in 1950 the quota for backward classes was made and from time to time many new quotas and reservations have been added to this.

But still, the condition of so called underprivileged sections in India are the same even that we have crossed so many decades of independence. Reservation is working in the opposite direction to its main objective as is demarcating the society further. It is being used to uplift one section of the society at the cost of another, which is not fair. Instead of this there should be equal opportunities for all. Moreover, a capable candidate does not need any certificate of being from a lower caste to prove their worth. It is his mind, education and ability to compete that can bring change in life. Taking a seat just by showing your under privileged certificate won’t give you anything, but just the degree or a job.

Also the reservation system in India is creating a workforce which is not capable enough to compete at the global level. India needs people for growth and development but reservation is adding undeserving candidates as well. So I think reservation system should be demolished and if the government really wants to uplift the underprivileged sections of the society then a well-balanced policies should be formulated. First of all such sections of the society should be clearly identified that need development and financial aids. Then to uplift them free education, or incentives and financial assistance should be provided. Once done let them face the competition, true competition. Make them capable, show them  theright path and infuse a fighting spirit in them as no one is against healthy competition.

There was a quota system in US as well, but it was abolished long ago. But it does not mean that they are not working for the underprivileged in their society. For admission and appointment purposes, now they have point systems in which people from backward regions are given some extra points but, not a certain number of seats. So, though the government is helping the needy, but it is not at all discriminating or snatching away the rights of eligible candidates.

Also from time to time such reforms or laws must be evaluated by experts and their impact on the development of under privileged and overall society must be assessed. Also, calculate the way these are changing the per capita income, number of people below poverty line etc. Politicians should stop using reservation system as a gimmick to have a permanent vote bank. Education should not be a part of politics. Instead nurture the saplings right from childhood for their bright future and then there won’t be any need of so called reservation system in India. ~ By Ramandeep Kaur

SOME INTERESTING RESERVATION FACTS:

Caste:

In central-government funded higher education institutions, 22.5% of available seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students (7% for SCs, 14% for STs). This reservation percentage has been raised to 48% by including an additional 27% reservation for OBCs. This ratio is followed even in Parliament and all elections where a few constituencies are earmarked for those from certain communities (which rotate per the Delimitation Commission).

The exact percentages vary from state to state:

• In Tamil Nadu, the reservation is 18% for SCs and 1% for STs, based on local demographics.
• In Northeast India, especially in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram, reservation for ST in State Govt. jobs is 80% with only 20% unreserved. In the Central Universities of NEHU(shillong)
  and Rajiv Gandhi University, 60% of seats are reserved for ST students.
• In Andhra Pradesh, 25% of educational institutes and government jobs are reserved for OBCs, 15% for SCs, 6% for STs and 4% for Muslims.
  
• In West Bengal, 35% of educational institute seats and 45% of government jobs are reserved for SC, ST, and OBC (25% SC, 12% ST, 10% Muslim).

Reservations in Andhra Pradesh:

Andhra Pradesh is the state having the highest percentage of reservations in India in any form. Minimum 83.3% reservations are applicable in the state.

The reservation schedule in Andhra Pradesh is as follows-

• Schedule Classes (A, B, C, D) – 15%
• Schedule Tribes – 6%
• Backward Classes (A, B, C, D) – 25%
• Physically Handicapped (Blind, Deaf & Dumb and OPH) – 3%(1+1+1)
• Ex-Service Men (APMS only) – 1%
• Women – 33.33%

Total % of reservations – Minimum 83.33%

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