10% Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in Government Universities and Colleges
The 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill seeking 10% reservation in government higher learning institutes for economically weaker sections in general category has been passed by the Parliament of India recently.
On January 08, 2019, Lok Sabha has passed the constitutional amendment bill enabling 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in the general category. Majority of members in Lok Sabha have given their nod for the implementation of reservation. The 124th constitutional amendment bill seeking 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in the general category was tabled and approved in Rajya Sabha on January 09, 2019. As of now, the 10% reservation for EWS in general category shall be applicable to government higher educational institutes only.
Recently, the central government announced that 10% reservation would be implemented for ‘economically weaker’ sections in the general category. The reservation policy will be applicable to general category students whose family annual income is less than Rs. 8 lakh. The Union Cabinet has given it’s not for the proposal. The central government is in the process of finalising the guidelines, rules, and regulations for the implementation of such reservation policy.
The central government has directed the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development to frame modalities for the implementation of 10% reservation in higher learning institutes for the economically weaker sections in the general category. The ministry is now framing guidelines for increasing the existing seats in higher learning institutes to implement 10% quota for economically weaker sections. The ministry will soon come up with modalities for the same.
According to sources, around 10 lakh seats may be added in higher learning institutes such as central universities, IIMs, IITs and others. The AISHE report 2017-18 indicated that there are around 39,000 colleges, 903 universities, and 10,000 stand-alone institutes in India.
Also Read: HRD Ministry’s Stand on Faculty Reservation in Universities
At present, there is 50% reservation for SC, ST, and OBC categories in higher learning institutes as per Indian Constitution. If the government wants to increase the reservation to 60% by including 10% quota for economically weaker sections in the general category, a constitutional amendment has to be made for Article 15 & 16 of Indian Constitution.
Also Read: Vice President Calls for Reservation for Poor Students in Education
For the latest updates on the implantation of 10% reservation for economically weaker general category, stay tuned to CollegeDekho.