What happened (clarification on EWS objective and eligibility)
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through a written reply in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri B.L. Verma, clarified the objective and criteria for reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). The clarification focused on two issues: (1) the constitutional purpose of EWS reservation and (2) the eligibility and exclusion conditions used to identify EWS persons for reservation benefits in education admissions and civil posts.
Objective of EWS reservation
The Central Government stated that the objective of the EWS reservation policy is to provide reservation benefits to economically weaker persons who are not covered under existing reservation schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs).
Constitutional basis (what Articles 15(6) and 16(6) enable)
The Lok Sabha was informed that the Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 inserted Articles 15(6) and 16(6) into the Constitution. These provisions enable reservation up to 10 per cent for EWS in admissions to educational institutions and in appointments in civil posts and services.
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