Unpacking Reservations in India: Theory and Practice and Way Forward

Being one of the largest affirmative action taken for the under privileged and depressed classes, reservations in India have always occupied a centre stage in the political arena of Indian society. The paper analyzes the legal framework pertaining to reservation scheme and various efforts taken by the government of India to use the reservation policy to enhance and uplift the depressed section of Society. After the adoption of the policy of reservation in the constitution of India, many arguments have been raised time and again about its implementation and appropriateness. There are both negative as well as positive impacts of this reservation scheme. Positive aspect of the policy resulted out in the social, economical and educational uplifting of the under privileged section of society on the other hand negative aspect throws light on the decline in meritocracy and efficiency of administrative system of the country. So the paper covers the various issues pertaining to the reservation policy and its impact on contemporary Indian society.