The Decline of Open Merit Quota: A Threat to the Future of Excellence in India
( By Nazir Ahmad Payer)
The reservation quota in India was first introduced as part of efforts to ensure social justice and equal opportunity for historically marginalized communities, particularly Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Below is a timeline of key milestones in its evolution:
- The Indian Constitution (1950): Effective from January 26, 1950, the Indian Constitution formalized reservations for SCs and STs in education, employment, and legislatures under Articles 15(4), 16(4), 330, and 332. Initially, these quotas were set for 10 years but have been extended periodically.
- The Mandal Commission (1990): The Mandal Commission was established to identify socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) and recommended 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in central government jobs and educational institutions. This recommendation was implemented by Prime Minister V.P. Singh.
- The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006: Reservation for OBCs was extended to higher educational institutions under this Act.
- 103rd Constitutional Amendment (2019): This amendment introduced a 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in general categories.
The Issue with Lifetime Benefits of Reservation
One key point to note is that once a candidate benefits from reservation, whether in employment or in admission to educational institutions, why should this benefit extend throughout their career or lifetime? The government should implement clear policies to ensure that the threat to excellence does not persist indefinitely.
For years, this issue has been gaining attention, raising concerns about its impact on merit. A recent example involves doctors who have qualified for their MBBS and wish to pursue postgraduate studies in different medical courses. Here, the impact of reservation policies is becoming increasingly evident.
The Decline of Open Merit Quota: A Threat to the Future of Excellence in Medicine
The recent protests by doctors in Kashmir have highlighted a critical issue within India's reservation system: the dwindling share of open merit quota in educational and professional opportunities. These protests underscore growing concerns that the current system of reservations may undermine the nation's ability to nurture and retain top talent, especially in fields as vital as medicine.
The Heart of the Issue
The trigger for the protests was the revelation that only 25% of seats in medical admissions are available under the open merit category, while a staggering 75% of seats are reserved for various categories, including SCs, STs, OBCs, and EWS. This disproportionate distribution means that highly talented students, regardless of their social or economic background, often face insurmountable barriers to entry purely due to reservation policies.
Why the Protests?
Doctors in Kashmir argue that this skewed ratio undermines meritocracy and dilutes the quality of medical education and healthcare delivery. Their concerns are based on several key points:
- Impact on Excellence: With fewer seats available for open competition, the system risks sidelining talented and deserving candidates. Medicine, as a field that demands exceptional skill and dedication, cannot afford to compromise on merit.
- Brain Drain: Many top-performing students may seek opportunities abroad, where merit takes precedence over quotas. This "brain drain" could deprive India of its brightest minds, especially in critical sectors like healthcare.
- Erosion of Motivation: Limited opportunities can demotivate hardworking students who may feel that their efforts are futile in the face of an overly skewed reservation system.
The Bigger Picture
India's reservation system, which was designed to uplift historically marginalized communities, has undeniably played a pivotal role in promoting social justice. However, critics argue that the system now needs to evolve to strike a better balance between inclusivity and meritocracy.
Challenges with the Current System:
- Outdated Parameters: Reservations are often based on caste and community rather than contemporary socio-economic realities.
- Perpetuation of Inequality: Some argue that the benefits of reservations are disproportionately enjoyed by well-off individuals within reserved categories, leaving the truly needy behind.
- Quality Concerns: Reducing the share of merit-based seats could compromise the quality of professionals entering fields like medicine, law, and engineering.
The Way Forward
To address these concerns, policymakers must re-evaluate the reservation system with a focus on both equity and excellence. Some potential steps include:
- Periodic Review: Periodically assess the reservation policy to ensure it reflects current socio-economic realities.
- Economic-Based Reservations: Shift from caste-based to income-based criteria to ensure that benefits reach those who genuinely need them.
- Increased Seats: Expand the total number of seats in educational institutions to accommodate both reserved and open category students without reducing opportunities for either group.
- Promoting Merit: Retain a significant portion of seats for open merit to ensure that the best talent has a fair chance to succeed.
Conclusion
The protests by Kashmir’s doctors serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and society. While inclusivity remains an important goal, it must not come at the cost of excellence. If the nation continues to marginalize merit in its pursuit of social justice, it risks losing the very talent that drives its growth and development. A balanced approach, one that values both equity and merit, is essential to securing a prosperous and healthy future for India.
