Jammu & Kashmir Poised for Reservation Policy Reform

A major reform of the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir is on the horizon, with the state cabinet set to make critical decisions tomorrow. The current system, which reserves nearly 60-70% of seats in government jobs and educational institutions, has drawn sharp criticism from general-category aspirants. These aspirants, representing around 69% of the population, argue that their limited open-merit quota is disproportionately small. Protests have erupted, highlighting the deep-seated discontent. The government acknowledges the need for correction, as outlined in its election manifesto. A dedicated cabinet sub-committee has delved into the issue and is expected to propose a revised allocation. Key to these proposed changes is increasing the open-merit share, potentially to around 40%, by adjusting quotas from categories such as RBA and EWS. This recalibration aims to adhere to the 50% reservation ceiling mandated by the Supreme Court. Crucially, reservations for SC, ST, and OBC categories will be safeguarded. The administration is also mindful of ongoing legal challenges in the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court regarding the existing policy.