India’s reservation system for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and its effectiveness

Source: The post India’s reservation system for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and its effectiveness has been created, based on the article “Does data justify subdivision of quotas?” published in “The Hindu” on 5th November 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.

Context: The article discusses India’s reservation system for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and its effectiveness in helping marginalized communities. It raises questions about unequal benefits among SC subgroups and suggests that improving access to reservations should be prioritized over creating a ‘quota-within-quota’ system.

For detailed information on Issues of reservation in India read this article here

What is the purpose of India’s reservation system?

1. India’s reservation system was designed to uplift marginalized groups, especially Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), by correcting centuries of social and economic exclusion.
2. It provides SCs and STs with opportunities in higher education, government jobs, and public offices.

What are the issues with India’s reservation system?

1. Unequal Benefits within SC Groups: Certain SC subgroups benefit more than others. For example, in Punjab, subdivision of quotas since 1975 has helped disadvantaged groups like Mazhabi Sikhs and Balmikis, allowing them to catch up to more advanced groups like the Ad Dharmis.
2. Access Issues: Access to reservations is a problem, as many eligible SC households lack the necessary caste certificates. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, fewer than 50% of SC households report having these certificates. In contrast, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh perform better, with 60-70% of SC households holding certificates. Without proper access, many SCs cannot benefit from the system.
3. Quota-within-Quota: The “quota-within-quota” could help where SC subgroups show disparities, like in Punjab. But in places like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, such a division may not be needed. The Supreme Court also suggested a “creamy layer” exclusion for wealthier SCs, similar to policies for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). However, evidence is limited on whether economic mobility reduces discrimination for SCs.
4. Political Influence: Bihar’s creation of a “Mahadalit” category aimed to target the most marginalized SCs, but political pressure led to the inclusion of all SCs, undermining the policy’s intended focus.
5. Lack of Updated Data: The delay in India’s national Census prevents comprehensive data on caste disparities, making policy reforms difficult to base on current, reliable data.
6. Disparity with General Category: Despite some SC subgroups progressing, the gap between SCs and upper-caste groups remains far more significant than disparities within SC subgroups.

Conclusion

India’s reservation system has uplifted millions of SCs, but it needs improvement. The priority should be ensuring all SCs have access to benefits and addressing the larger disparities between SCs and upper-caste groups. For reservations to remain a tool for social justice, policies must be guided by strong data and actual need, rather than politics.

Question for practice:

Examine how India’s reservation system addresses disparities within Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the challenges associated with access and unequal benefits among SC subgroups.