Understanding Reservation

Reservation is a constitutional provision in India created to ensure fair opportunities in education, government jobs and political representation for communities that have faced social and economic disadvantages for centuries. It is often misunderstood as simply giving seats or jobs based on community but not on marks or merit. But reservation is much more than that, it is a step towards correcting historic inequalities.

India’s population is broadly divided into different social groups with different levels of access to resources and opportunities. According to the Census and government data:

• The General Category (also called Open Category or OC) forms about 30 to 35% of the population.
• Other Backward Classes (OBC) make up roughly 40 to 45%.
• Scheduled Castes (SC) account for around 16 to 17%.
• Scheduled Tribes (ST) represent about 8 to 9%.
• Some states recognize Most Backward Classes (MBC) or Denotified Communities separately, with percentages varying from 10 to 20%.

The Indian government provides reservation as follows:

• 15% of seats and jobs are reserved for Scheduled Castes.
• 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes.
• Around 27% for Other Backward Classes.
• 10% reservation has been introduced for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) among the General Category.

State governments may also add reservations for other groups based on local social conditions.

The aim of reservation is to support communities that have faced long standing social discrimination, economic hardship and limited access to quality education and employment. To understand this consider your own family where your parents or grandparents may have had the advantage of education, stable jobs and a secure home environment. Now compare that with families benefiting from reservation where previous generations often worked as laborers or in other low income jobs while also facing discrimination. For many individuals from these communities being the first in their family to attend college or secure a government job is a significant milestone achieved despite lacking the resources and support that others may take for granted.

Some question why reservation exists instead of relying solely on merit. While merit is important it cannot be the only measure of potential or opportunity because the conditions under which individuals compete vary greatly. A student from a privileged background typically has access to well funded schools, private coaching and family guidance. In contrast a student from a disadvantaged background often has poorly equipped schools, financial constraints and social barriers alongside academic challenges. 

Reservation provides a way to level this uneven system by ensuring that those who have been historically excluded get access to education and jobs. It is not about giving unfair advantage but about recognizing that equal opportunities cannot exist unless social and economic inequalities are addressed. Reservation also helps increase diversity and representation in education and workplaces. 

This representation plays a vital role in breaking stereotypes and encouraging social inclusion. To those who question or oppose reservation, consider this: how can merit alone be fair when generations of disadvantage and discrimination have created unequal starting points? It is easy to demand opportunity when your family’s path has been paved with education and stability, but millions still face barriers today. Reservation is not about giving an edge but about creating a fair chance for those who have long been denied opportunities. Until every person regardless of their background can compete on equal footing reservation remains essential. As the Tamil saying goes, “பிறப்பால் அனைவரும் சமம்", which means “All people are born equal".