An alternative to reservation

The idea of helping the backward classes is admirable and must be followed. But rReservation is a bad way of putting it. If the incentivisation is done bsed upon the perceived weightage of backwardness, it might help. But reserving the seats totally may not. Let me explain.

The reservation means dividing the seats in parts, wherein select candidates from General Category (GC) can not compete for specific seats. So, it is reverse discrimination. The discrimination becomes anti democratric when the seats remain unavailable even if the candidates from other than GC are found unsuitable for the reserved seats. The seats will go vacant, but won't be filled in by any other.

Now, consider an alternative. The reservation is not given on seats. Instead, the candidates will be given additional marks based upon their social (Caste and religion), economic (economic status), geographical (accessible and inaccessible areas), physical (physically challenged), gender (girl/ boy) and cultural background (tribes). Everyone competes for each seat, with few who belong to backward community getting additional marks for their backwardness. The main examination may carry 80% weightage, with 20% coming from the background.

So, if I am a well-to-do physically-fit brahmin boy from Delhi I will get zero additional marks. If I am a poor physically challenged tribal girl from Bastar I will get 20 marks (other will lie in between). If the boy gets 61 out of 80 marks in main exam, and the girl gets 42 marks, the girl qualifies. If girl gets 40 marks, the boy qualifies. There is no reservation of seats, just an incentive provided for cross-nullifying the effect of reductory factors in one's background.

Another argument is- If reservation is brought to 50%, does it mean that rest 50% goes to GC. NO, it is not so. The moment a non GC candidate gets qualifying marks equal to a GC candidate, he/ she moves on to occupy a non-reserved seat. This is nothing else but punishing the talent.

More on reservation in next blog.