QUOTA SYSTEM IN INDIA
Last Updated: Feb 19, 2025
Quota System In India:
Reservation which can also be called a quota system in India is a form of affirmative action designed to improve the well-being of backward and under-represented communities defined primarily by their ‘caste’’. The main objective of the Indian reservation or quota system is to increase the opportunities for enhanced social and educational status (in the sense better than the previous—until it becomes equal to that enjoyed by an average member of other communities) of the underprivileged communities and, thus, enable them to take their rightful place in the mainstream of Indian society.
Current Scenario: Frustration & Inequality
The reservation or quota system exists to provide opportunities for the members of the SCs and STs to increase their representation in the State Legislatures, the Executive Organ of the Union (Centre) and States, the labor force, schools, colleges, and other ‘public’ institutions. The Constitution of India states in Article 15(4): “All citizens shall have equal opportunities of receiving education. Nothing herein contained shall preclude the State from providing special facilities for educationally backward sections (not “communities”) of the population.” It also states that “The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of society (in particular, of the scheduled castes and aboriginal tribes), and shall protect them from social ”injustice” and all forms of exploitation.”
But nowadays the scenario is different.
General category people are slowly getting frustrated because of it. It is natural when, for example, a highly eligible general category person is rejected from a job because they have selected a mediocre guy just because he is under the quota system of any caste. In the present day, many people under the quota system are enjoying the benefits of it over general category people even if they don’t need it or don’t deserve it. And this is not right.
Need To Reform:
It should be seen that reserved seats in any place should be given to only those who deserve it or need it because, in this twenty-first century, all people were the same before the constitution; thus, dividing them based on caste should be stopped.
Current Reservation System:
- Schedule Castes (SC): 15%
- Schedule Tribes (Sts): 7.5%
- Other Backward Classes(OBC) : 27%
- Economically Weaker Sections(EWS): 10%
Political Reservation &Representation
The reservation policy also finds application in the field of politics. The Constitution offers reserved seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and the legislative assemblies of states. This ensures that marginalized sections are represented in the decision-making process.
Merits Of Quota System:
Social Upliftment: Bookings have greatly helped develop the socio-economy of marginalized groups, diminishing centuries of discrimination.
Equal Opportunities: Offers education and employment opportunities to historically disadvantaged sections, bridging the gap between privileged and underprivileged segments.
Political Empowerment: Guarantees representation of marginalized sections in the legislatures, facilitating inclusive governance.
Criticism And Challenges:
1. Comprimising Meritocracy: Critics say that reservations compromise merit-based selection, impacting efficiency and competitiveness.
2. Caste-Based Criteria Rather than Economic-based Criteria: Some feel the system needs to emphasize economic disadvantage over caste-based categorizations.
3. Perpetuation Of Caste Identity: Instead of eradicating caste divisions, reservations can perpetuate caste consciousness in society.
4. Exclusion of Reservation Candidates: Economically poor people from the general category feel excluded because of caste-based reservations.
Plan of Action:
Although the quota system has been helpful in social justice, changes must be brought about to ensure that benefits are distributed evenly. Some possible remedies are:
- Examining Reservation Policy: There should be periodic reviews to check if reservations are necessary and identify the truly disadvantaged classes.
- Economic-Based Reservation: There should be periodic reviews to check if reservations are necessary and identify the truly disadvantaged classes.
- Education &Development Skills: Instead of being dependent solely on reservations, quality improvement in education and vocational training can make marginalized groups more empowered.
- Gradual Facing out of Quotas: Once socio-economic differences are brought down to a great extent, reservations need to be phased out gradually to provide level-playing fields for all.
Conclusion:
In India quota system can make a reform in social injustice and inequalities and responsibilities. By learning and going with the correct skill we can make a good reform and change a valuable structure.
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13 Responses to QUOTA SYSTEM IN INDIA
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The quota system has helped nobody. It has corrupted and divided our society even more. It is a monster that is slowly killing ouyr society. Quality has gone downhill and is almost zero in this country. Most of the graduates who avail of quota are sadly lacking in quality and whereas this may be still be accepted in arts it cannot and should not be accepted in any other field especially medicine and engineering. Merit and merit alone should be the deciding factor for a seat in our academic institutes.
QUOTA system in India is based on caste system but i feel it should be based on economic condition of a family.Indian government did try a lot to assess who actually belong to economically backward classes.Now its high time that our government should try new methodology to solve problems regarding quota system
Hey before commenting on the topic,i want you to understand the importance of constitution and pain taken to amend it.Our great ancestors took almost months to form the laws and they have put their efforts in making the most suited according to the circumstances.
Quota system is certainly very unfair to many students, but at the same time it is also doing good to many under privileged communities and to those who cannot afford the best of education in the best of institutions.
Hence, the government needs o pay more attention to these type of issues rather than just formulating the schemes as promised to the people and then leaving them to their fate.
Successive governments have found out that the present quota system has not been able to achieve what it has been set up for. So why not just try to do away with it and try something new rather than to stick on to something which has not worked. Even the new system may have some irregularities, with people showing false economic status and salary certificates, but at least this will include the economically weaker people from all castes, rather than some castes or communities.
Caste system is not new to Indian society.It is followed from ancient times.1st it started with Brahmin’s, kshatria’s , sudras and vashiyas.This was the origin of the caste system this was not to make a person feel lower or higher it was just to assign jobs to the person who are capable of doing that particular thing.But this created gaps between these communities and as a result the stronger on started putting pressure on weaker once.To remove this gap and give the weaker ones equal position in the country in every aspect the government started giving reservation.
Remember the British’s DIVIDE AND RULE POLICY, may be the quota system is inspired from that so that it becomes easier for the government to rule upon and get there vote.
It is a complete social evil, why not the candidate can be judged on his mental ability, why is there a distinction between the general and ST and SC, even reservation for women is a foolish thing to be adopted at some places.
If a candidate proves his ability then only he should deserve his place.
In fact India is said to be SECULAR in nature, well then i don’t see it!!!!
QUOTA system should be banned completely..It’s not good for candidates who really deserve in any exam..everyone should be treated equally..
QUOTA solution will not going to bring any positive aspect for country but sure it will be positive for politicians to win election…
Reservation system is the most pathetic and muscularly hard hitting step taken by the government.
The talented and skilled class of labor gets thrown to darkness of ignorance and non-appraisal in form of promotions and other incentives just because of the reservation.
Unskilled and potential less people get the opportunity to grab high posts and in turn pollute the administration by their cheap ideology.
Quota system isn’t good for society …… its an evil which needed to be eradicated . this happens only when we all come together.Quota creates division among colleagues and friends . it doesn’t give the opportunities on equal basis . rather the good candidates are left behind due to this evil cause
Quota creates divide.It brings inequality and snatches the rights of more deserving person.
Reservation of seats in every field of our lives is become todays burning issue. Reservarton for real purpose is been supported by everyone. but the mis use of the power is shold be strictly banned. everybody shold have the equal power. knowledge & talent must not be judged by the quota system. In stead of quota system there must be startig a new system for all the meritorious student who are really deserve.
Quota System is really taken a disgusting role in our socity. this system was made to equalize the people of several caste in India. So that they can also take part in the social activites.
But now a days this system has taken a different senario. Some people are misusing this facility. and for these reason many general canditates suffer in the route of education, job etc. Bcause having very good qualifiction they could not get chance which they deserve.
So we should stop this or take care of this misuse.