GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

Assess the implications of the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, which introduced a ten per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), on the principle of social justice in India.

Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2024

Constitution and Basic StructureSC, ST and OBCVulnerable Sections

Syllabus: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

How toppers approached it

From 4 of the 6 answers · about 170 words.

Opening

  • A constitutional or legal provision3 of 4
  • No separate opening1 of 4

Body

  • Points4 of 4

Close

  • A way forward3 of 4
  • A source1 of 4

The toppers’ answers

Ashi SharmaAIR 12 · CSE 2024 · 180 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

As per the recommendations of the Sinho Committee the GoI passed the 103CAA to provide 10% reservation to EWS in public employment and educational institutions.

Body · points

Implications

Positive

  1. ensure economic justice for the EWS.
    • per capita income in India is around 2l/annum
  2. provide opportunity for social mobility
  3. realise value of equality of opportunity in preamble
  4. help decrease income inequality
    • top 1% in India → 40% of wealth.
  5. help decrease poverty
    • 16% population poor multidimensionally (NITI)

Negative

  1. exceeds the 50% limit laid down by SC in Indra Sawhney judgement
  2. priorities equity + equality over limit
  3. difficulties in identification of beneficiaries
  4. issues of fake certificates
  5. economic class as a criteria for affirmative action is not explicitly mentioned in the constitution
  6. excludes only a few as more than 80% population → EWS
  7. decreases pool of seats for SC/ST/OBCs.

Close · a way forward

The beauty of any policy lies in its implementation, the SC has upheld the validity of 103 CAA, now the GoI must ensure its benefits reach intended beneficiaries.

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