Types of Reservation in India for UPSC 2025: Explained with Latest Data

Introduction

The caste system in India gave rise to reservation in India, providing access to jobs and education for historically marginalized groups, including SC, ST, OBC, and economically weaker sections. Governed by the Constitution, it includes a 49.5% reservation in higher education and Parliament, with variations by state. 

In this article, we will look in detail at the reservation in India, its types, historical background, and its importance. In the UPSC reservation policy system, it aims to promote social inclusion and address historical injustices, fostering a more equitable administrative landscape in India.

Official Sources with Reservation Stats and Policy Info

Category	Data/Stat	Source Link
UPSC Reservation Quota	SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC (27%), EWS (10%), PwBD (4%)	UPSC CSE Reservation Policy – upsc.gov.in(See p.2-3)
EWS Reservation	10% EWS reservation under 103rd Constitutional Amendment	Gazette Notification – Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act, 2019
PwBD Reservation	4% Reservation for Benchmark Disabilities under Rights of PwDs Act, 2016	DoPT Guidelines for PwBD – dopt.gov.in
OBC Creamy Layer & Age Relaxation	OBC 27% reservation and 3-year age relaxation	DoPT OBC Reservation Rules
SC/ST Age Relaxation and Attempts	5-year age relaxation, unlimited attempts for SC/ST	UPSC Civil Services Rules – DoPT (See reservation & relaxation sections)
PwBD Age Relaxation & Conditions	Up to 10 years age relaxation for PwBD categories	UPSC CSE 2023 Notification (applies to 2025) (See p.5-6)
Jarnail Singh Judgment	Creamy layer applies to SC/ST promotions	Supreme Court Ruling – Sep 2018 PDF
Indra Sawhney Case	27% OBC reservation and 50% ceiling	Indra Sawhney v Union of India – Indian Kanoon

Historical Background of Reservation in India

The reservation in India was first proposed by William Hunter and Jyotirao Phule in 1882. 

• The “Communal Award” of 1933 by British PM Ramsay Macdonald created separate electorates for communities, including Dalits.  
• The ‘Poona Pact’ between Gandhi and Ambedkar established a single Hindu electorate with reservations.  
• Reservations post-independence were initially for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).  
• Other Backward Classes (OBCs) were included in reservations in 1991 based on the Mandal Commission.  
• The 1992 Indra Sawhney ruling upheld a 27% quota for backward classes but invalidated a 10% reservation for economically backward higher castes.  
• It established a 50% cap on total reservations, applicable only to initial appointments.  
• The 2019 Constitutional (103rd Amendment) Act added a 10% reservation for the economically backward, amending Articles 15 and 16 to allow for reservations beyond the 50% cap.

1. Who Introduced Reservation in India?

The system of reservation was present in India even before independence. After independence, the reservation in Indian constitution was introduced by the Constituent Assembly led by Dr. BR Ambedkar. It was originally intended for a period of 10 years. After that 10-year period, the legislators of India felt it necessary to continue the system of reservation to bridge many years of historical and cultural discrimination against certain classes in society.

2. What is the Mandal Commission?

In December 1978, the President of India constituted a backward class commission chaired by B. P. Mandal, exercising the powers conferred by Article 340 of the Constitution.

• The commission aimed to define criteria for identifying socially and educationally backward classes in India and recommend measures for their advancement.
• The Mandal Commission found that approximately 52% of India’s population comprises Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• Recommended reserving 27% of government jobs for OBCs.
• Developed eleven indicators of social, educational, and economic backwardness to identify backward classes.
• Created an all-India OBC list consisting of 3,743 castes and a list of 2,108 depressed backward classes.
• Established on January 1, 1979, under Prime Minister Morarji Desai.
• Submitted its report to the President on December 31, 1980, advocating for reservations to combat caste inequality and discrimination.
• In 1990, Prime Minister V. P. Singh announced the implementation of the commission’s recommendations.
• The Supreme Court upheld these recommendations in 1992, establishing the 27% reservation for OBCs.
• Emphasized that caste alone should not be the sole indicator of social and educational backwardness.

3. Why were Reservation Categories in India Introduced?

Reservation in India were introduced for the following reasons:

• To correct past & historical injustices that have been done to the backward classes of India.
• To set an equal representation for every caste in both the state and central services.
• To give everyone the same platform and not disadvantage anyone by caste.
• To uplift and advance backward classes.

Reservation Quota in India

In India, the UPSC reservation policy is an important policy designed to provide equal opportunities in education and employment for historically marginalized communities. Given below is the distribution of reservation categories in India for applicants for UPSC examination.

1. Category-Wise Reservation in India

The reservation categories in India play an important role in addressing historical inequalities and ensuring representation for various social groups within education and employment sectors. The table below shows the UPSC reservation policy in India:

Category	UPSC Reservation Quota
Schedule Caste	15%
Schedule Tribes	7.5%
Other Backward Classes	25%
Economically Weaker Section	10%
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities	4%

2. UPSC Reservation Policy Based on Age-Limit

The UPSC maintains reserved seats for specific categories of candidates, such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, defence personnel, and persons with disabilities. Age relaxation is available for these reserved seats than for the general category of seats.

The details related to age relaxation for the OBC SC ST reservation details for UPSC examination are as follows:

SC/ST Category	5 years
OBC Category	3 years
Defence Personnel	3 years
Orthopedically Handicapped, Blind, Deaf, and Mute	3 years

To utilize the age relaxation, the applicant must provide appropriate evidence of age, such as a mark sheet from secondary schooling or a mark sheet from any university, Indian or otherwise.

3. OBC/SC/ST Reservation Details in UPSC Examination

UPSC reservation categories in India differ. The table below shows the OBC SC ST reservation details:

Category	No. of Attempts	Age Limit	Application Fee
SC/ST	Unlimited	37 years of age	NIL
OBC	9 attempts	35 years of age	₹100

4. UPSC Reservation Policy for EWS Category

On February 5, 2020, the government of India provided the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) 10% reservation in UPSC CSE. The reservation is open to all candidates from the general category, excluding the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, who all enjoy other reservations. The EWS reservation has no exceptions, for example, age, no. of attempts, and fees. 

The EWS reservation operates as per the Constitution Act, 2019, passed by the Indian Parliament. The amendment specifies that EWS refers to families whose annual income was less than ₹8 lakhs and total assets were less than ₹5 lakhs.

It is subject to the decision of respective state governments, whether or not the EWS reservation for employment in jobs in state government and for admission into state government educational institutions is to be provided.

Criteria	EWS Category
Age Relaxation	No age relaxation
No. of Attempts	6
Application Fees	₹100

5. PwBD Reservation in UPSC Examination

Candidates with Benchmark Disabilities may be eligible for special benefits for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Special benefits for candidates with Benchmark Disabilities include: 

• Reservations;
• Age relaxation; and 
• Extra attempts.

The UPSC classifies PH disabilities into three types:

• PH 1: Orthopedically handicapped (OH) candidates
• PH 2: Visually handicapped (VH) candidates
• PH 3: Hearing handicapped (HH) candidates

An applicant with a PH reservation must have at least 40% of a disability. The candidate will require a disability certificate from a medical board set up by a Central or State government.

Reservation in India: Constitutional Provision

Reservation in India refers to the affirmative action policies designed to improve the socio-economic status of marginalized communities, rooted in the country’s constitutional framework.

Below are the constitutional provisions governing the reservation in India:

• Part XVI of the Indian Constitution addresses the reservation of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Central and State legislatures.
• Articles 15(4) and 16(4) empower State and Central Governments to reserve seats in government services for SC and ST members.
• The Constitution (77th Amendment) Act, 1995, introduced clause (4A) in Article 16 for reservation in promotions.
• The Constitution (85th Amendment) Act, 2001 modified Article 16(4A) to ensure consequential seniority for SC and ST candidates promoted through reservation.
• The Constitution (81st Amendment) Act, 2000 added Article 16(4B), allowing states to fill unoccupied reserved vacancies from previous years, overriding the 50 percent ceiling on total vacancies.
• Articles 330 and 332 provide for specific representation of SCs and STs by reserving seats in the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, respectively.
• Article 243D ensures reservations for SCs and STs in every Panchayat.
• Article 233T provides for similar reservations in Municipalities.
• Article 335 mandates that the claims of SCs and STs be considered while maintaining the efficacy of administration.

Judicial Scrutiny of Reservation

• The State of Madras v. Smt. Champakam Dorairajan (1951) led to the First Amendment.
• Article 16(4) allows reservations for backward classes in employment.
• Article 15 initially did not provide for reservations for backward classes.
• Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) clarified:
• The creamy layer of OBCs should be excluded from reservations.
• The total reserved quota should not exceed 50%.
• Article 16(4A) was introduced, allowing reservations in promotions for SCs and STs if inadequately represented.
• M. Nagaraj v. Union of India (2006) upheld conditions for reservations.
• Jarnail Singh vs. Lachhmi Narain Gupta (2018) confirmed that creamy layer exclusion applies to SC/STs.
• In May 2019, the Court upheld a Karnataka law enabling reservations in SC and ST promotions with seniority.

The Debate on Reservation in India

1. Why is reservation in Indian Constitution needed?

To address historical injustices faced by backward castes, it is crucial to create a level playing field that allows fair competition with those who have had resources for centuries. Ensuring adequate representation in state services is essential for their advancement and promoting equality based on merit, allowing all individuals to be judged fairly on their abilities.

2. What are the Arguments Against Reservation in India?

Reservation in state services has created divisions among government employees, harming workplace harmony. 

• Caste-based reservations were originally intended to eliminate caste disparities and promote equal opportunities for historically underprivileged communities.
• Instead of achieving this goal, reservations have reinforced the concept of caste.
• Despite some economic progress, many individuals continue to experience social disadvantages.
• Reservations undermine meritocracy by shifting the focus from capability to backwardness.
• The issue has been politicized, serving the narrow interests of certain groups.
• Benefits of reservations often go to dominant members of backward castes, leaving the most marginalized still disadvantaged.
• The system can create exclusion rather than inclusion, as many upper-caste poor individuals also face discrimination and injustice.
• This situation breeds frustration within society.

3. Reasons Behind Increasing Demands of Reservation in India

Reservation is increasingly seen as a solution to the negative effects of poorly conceived development policies. In states like Haryana, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, citizens face acute agrarian distress, stagnating employment growth, and developmental distortions, prompting governments to discuss reservation instead of making necessary changes. As upper castes express concerns about losing privileges and adapting to change, they feel disadvantaged, especially in government jobs, where they lack the advantages afforded to backward classes.

4. What are Some Suggestions in Regards to the Reservation in India?

Reservation benefits should primarily assist the vast majority of underprivileged children from deprived castes, rather than a few privileged individuals. 

• High-ranking officials and high-income professionals should be excluded from government job benefits.
• There is a need for fair methods to support economically deprived individuals across communities.
• Revolutionary changes in the grassroots education system are essential.
• Increased awareness is necessary, as many needy individuals are unaware of their rights and available benefits.
• A potential solution could involve excluding the creamy layer from all castes from reservations.
• Focus should shift towards enhancing capabilities rather than providing automatic admissions to higher education and jobs.

Conclusion

Reservation in India aims to help disadvantaged groups, but it can also cause social issues and favoritism in politics. This can lead to resentment and a desire to return to less progressive values. To maintain merit-based systems, we should uphold certain entry requirements and provide financial assistance to those in need. A strong political commitment is necessary to strike a balance between fairness for disadvantaged individuals, equality for those who are better off, and overall system efficiency.