Reservation. It’s that one word that can stir up a storm in every Indian classroom, living room, or comment section. And whether we like it or not, it’s a conversation that refuses to die down ....probably because it touches something really deep: opportunity, fairness, identity.
So, here’s my take. Or more like, my questions.
Let’s start from the beginning. The idea behind reservation was pretty straightforward — to give historically oppressed communities like the SCs, STs, and later OBCs a fair chance at education, jobs, and growth. And honestly? It made sense. You can’t expect people who’ve been pushed down for centuries to suddenly catch up in a so-called "equal race."
But cut to 2025, and things feel… complicated.
Some say reservation is still needed because caste-based discrimination hasn’t magically disappeared. They’ve got a point. Just scroll through any news app — caste violence, prejudice, and inequality are very much alive. Without some kind of affirmative action, wouldn’t these groups still be left behind?
But then there’s the other side — the people who feel the system is being misused. “What about merit?” they ask. “What about the poor general category students who can’t get a seat despite scoring higher?” They bring up the ‘creamy layer’ — the well-off individuals who continue to benefit from reservation, while poorer people from all castes struggle.
And here's where I honestly get torn. Because both arguments feel real. There are kids I know who’ve worked like crazy but couldn’t crack the system, and there are also students who made it out of impossible situations thanks to reservation.
The real question is: has the current reservation system evolved with time? Or is it stuck in the past?
Would it be fairer if we looked at economic background as well, not just caste? Should we reduce the quotas slowly as upliftment happens? Or would that just be another way of ignoring centuries of systemic injustice?
Some states have already tried tweaks — like adding income criteria to the reservation benefits, or introducing sub-quotas for the ‘creamy layer’ in OBCs. But implementation is always tricky. People feel left out or claim discrimination in reverse. It becomes a political hot potato.
And while we’re at it — can we please talk about how reservation in private sector jobs is now being debated too? That opens up a whole new can of worms. Some say it's essential, others say it’ll destroy merit-based hiring. Will companies even comply? Or will it just become a box-ticking exercise?
It’s not just about jobs or education either. Reservation policies have started creeping into politics and even higher education in the form of quotas for economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category. Suddenly, everyone’s trying to claim they’re ‘underprivileged’ in some way.
I can’t help but wonder if the conversation around reservation has become more about politics and vote banks than about real social justice.
Look, I don’t have all the answers. I don’t think anyone does. But maybe that’s the whole point — to keep asking questions, to keep discussing it, not just shouting at each other online.
So here’s mine to you:
Is reservation today fixing the system or becoming part of what’s broken? Are we protecting the vulnerable or creating new kinds of inequality? And can India find a way to move beyond quotas and build a society where everyone truly has equal opportunity?
Let me know what you think.
Below is a graphical representation of the reservation distribution
So, here’s my take. Or more like, my questions.
Let’s start from the beginning. The idea behind reservation was pretty straightforward — to give historically oppressed communities like the SCs, STs, and later OBCs a fair chance at education, jobs, and growth. And honestly? It made sense. You can’t expect people who’ve been pushed down for centuries to suddenly catch up in a so-called "equal race."
But cut to 2025, and things feel… complicated.
Some say reservation is still needed because caste-based discrimination hasn’t magically disappeared. They’ve got a point. Just scroll through any news app — caste violence, prejudice, and inequality are very much alive. Without some kind of affirmative action, wouldn’t these groups still be left behind?
But then there’s the other side — the people who feel the system is being misused. “What about merit?” they ask. “What about the poor general category students who can’t get a seat despite scoring higher?” They bring up the ‘creamy layer’ — the well-off individuals who continue to benefit from reservation, while poorer people from all castes struggle.
And here's where I honestly get torn. Because both arguments feel real. There are kids I know who’ve worked like crazy but couldn’t crack the system, and there are also students who made it out of impossible situations thanks to reservation.
The real question is: has the current reservation system evolved with time? Or is it stuck in the past?
Would it be fairer if we looked at economic background as well, not just caste? Should we reduce the quotas slowly as upliftment happens? Or would that just be another way of ignoring centuries of systemic injustice?
Some states have already tried tweaks — like adding income criteria to the reservation benefits, or introducing sub-quotas for the ‘creamy layer’ in OBCs. But implementation is always tricky. People feel left out or claim discrimination in reverse. It becomes a political hot potato.
And while we’re at it — can we please talk about how reservation in private sector jobs is now being debated too? That opens up a whole new can of worms. Some say it's essential, others say it’ll destroy merit-based hiring. Will companies even comply? Or will it just become a box-ticking exercise?
It’s not just about jobs or education either. Reservation policies have started creeping into politics and even higher education in the form of quotas for economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category. Suddenly, everyone’s trying to claim they’re ‘underprivileged’ in some way.
I can’t help but wonder if the conversation around reservation has become more about politics and vote banks than about real social justice.
Look, I don’t have all the answers. I don’t think anyone does. But maybe that’s the whole point — to keep asking questions, to keep discussing it, not just shouting at each other online.
So here’s mine to you:
Is reservation today fixing the system or becoming part of what’s broken? Are we protecting the vulnerable or creating new kinds of inequality? And can India find a way to move beyond quotas and build a society where everyone truly has equal opportunity?
Let me know what you think.
Visual Additions
"A democracy is not merely a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience." – Dr. B.R. AmbedkarBelow is a graphical representation of the reservation distribution