The reservation system in India was introduced through constitutional provisions and legislation. The Constitution of India, under Articles 15(4) and 16(4), allows for the reservation of seats in educational institutions and public employment for SC/ST communities. Additionally, Article 330 and Article 332 provide for reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and State Legislative Assemblies, respectively.
SC/ST reservation refers to a system of affirmative action implemented in India to provide representation and opportunities to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities, who have historically faced social and economic disadvantages and discrimination. Reservation policies aim to address these historical inequalities by reserving a certain percentage of seats in educational institutions, government jobs, and legislative bodies for SC/ST individuals.
The reservation policy operates with different reservation percentages in different states and institutions. Generally, the reservation percentage for SC/ST communities in educational institutions and government jobs is around 15% and 7.5%, respectively, at the national level. However, individual states may have different percentages depending on their demographics and specific circumstances.
The reservation policy has been a subject of debate and discussion. Supporters argue that it is necessary to address historical inequalities and provide opportunities for marginalized communities to access education and employment. They believe that reservation helps in social integration and upliftment of SC/ST communities.