What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background (Context of the Article)
• Reservation in India (Foundation, Evolution, Disparities, Access, Issues, etc.)
• Conclusion

Background:

• India’s reservation system has been instrumental in providing access to opportunities for historically marginalized communities, especially Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• However, recent debates question whether the benefits of this system are equitably distributed among all SC subgroups.
• The Supreme Court has proposed introducing a “quota-within-quota” to address these disparities, leading to a nationwide discussion on whether such measures are justified by data.

Foundation & Evolution of Reservation in India:

• The reservation policy, rooted in B.R. Ambedkar’s vision, aimed to create equal opportunities by reserving spots in education, public employment, and governance for marginalized communities.
• While the intention was to dismantle caste-based inequalities, the outcomes have been uneven, with some SC subgroups reportedly benefiting more than others.
• As a result, there are growing calls to redesign the reservation system to ensure a balanced distribution of opportunities.

Disparities Among SC Subgroups:

• Using data from states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, researchers have found significant disparities in the outcomes of reservation policies:
  • Punjab: Since 1975, Punjab has implemented a subdivided quota system, benefiting disadvantaged SC subgroups like the Mazhabi Sikhs and Balmikis, helping them catch up to more advanced subgroups.
  • Bihar: The state created a “Mahadalit” category in 2007 to target marginalized SC groups. However, political pressures expanded the category to include all SC groups, diluting its effectiveness.
  • Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu: These states have relatively balanced outcomes between their major SC groups, indicating that a further subdivision of quotas may not be necessary.
• Across these states, the data reveals that while disparities exist within the SC category, the gap between SCs and upper-caste groups is still much larger.
• This suggests that while a quota subdivision may help address some disparities within the SC category, it may not be a complete solution.

Access to Reserved Opportunities:

• A fundamental challenge in India’s reservation system is ensuring access to reserved benefits.
• Data from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) reveals that a significant portion of SC households in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar lack caste certificates—essential for accessing reserved positions in education and employment.
• This highlights a need to improve access to reservation benefits rather than focusing solely on quota subdivision.

Potential Issues with Quota Subdivision:

• While the idea of a “quota-within-quota” has merit in states like Punjab, data suggests that it may not be necessary everywhere.
• In states where SC groups have comparable socio-economic outcomes, further subdivisions could complicate the reservation system without delivering substantial benefits.
• Additionally, the subdivision policy is often vulnerable to political motivations, as seen in Bihar, where expanding the “Mahadalit” category diluted its impact.
• The Supreme Court’s recommendation to introduce a “creamy layer” exclusion for SCs is another contentious proposal.
• While excluding economically advantaged SC individuals from reservation benefits could theoretically enhance equity, experts caution that economic mobility may not necessarily reduce caste-based discrimination.
• Instances of both overt and covert untouchability persist, suggesting that social identity, rather than economic status, continues to influence discrimination.

Need for Updated Data:

• India’s national Census, currently delayed, is the most comprehensive source of data on caste-based disparities.
• Updated data is crucial to ensure that reservation policies are based on current socio-economic realities rather than outdated information.
• Without reliable data, any attempt to reform the reservation system may be misguided.

Conclusion:

• India’s reservation system has uplifted many marginalized groups, yet it faces challenges in delivering equitable outcomes within the SC category.
• A quota-within-quota system may benefit states with pronounced disparities, but it is not a universal solution.
• Improving access to reservation benefits and addressing caste-based discrimination across the board should be prioritized.
• Moving forward, reservation policies should be informed by robust, updated data to ensure they serve as genuine tools for social justice.