In the ongoing discussion about reservation policies in Jammu and Kashmir, the focus has largely been on principles of inclusion, upliftment, and historical justice. While these principles are fundamental to India’s constitutional morality, a significant and often overlooked sentiment is emerging from the General Category – individuals not covered by caste-based or regional quotas. This group increasingly feels marginalized within their own land, perceiving themselves as second-class citizens.
Following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the erstwhile state, Jammu and Kashmir adopted a reservation framework that, while mirroring the national structure, has introduced additional layers of complexity. The inclusion of new groups like Pahari-speaking people and residents of International Border (IB) areas has significantly inflated the percentage of reserved seats in both education and government employment.
Currently, the reservation breakdown stands as follows: 10% for Scheduled Tribes (ST), 8% for Scheduled Castes (SC), 4% for Other Backward Classes (OBC), 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) within the General Category, 20% for Residents of Backward Areas (RBA), 4% for residents near the International Border, and 4% for Pahari-speaking people. Cumulatively, this means that over 60% of opportunities in higher education and government jobs in J&K are now reserved.
The “open merit” or General Category, often erroneously linked with privilege, finds itself competing in an ever-shrinking pool of opportunities, without any institutional support. It’s crucial to dispel the misconception that all individuals in the General Category are inherently privileged or economically well-off.
Many come from lower-middle-class or struggling families, bearing the full brunt of merit-based competition without any social safety nets. This is particularly frustrating for academically meritorious individuals from this category who, despite higher scores, are sidelined not due to lack of effort or ability, but simply by virtue of being born into an “unreserved” family. The implicit message is clear: identity often trumps merit.
The introduction of a 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) within the General Category was seen as a corrective measure, but its impact has been limited. The annual income threshold of Rs 8 lakh is often too high to effectively identify the truly needy, and its implementation lacks the robust outreach and administrative support enjoyed by other quotas.
Furthermore, EWS candidates frequently still find themselves competing within the larger unreserved pool, leading to a psychological perception of being “still general” and thus disadvantaged in practice. The consequences of this imbalance extend beyond mere statistics, creating deep emotional and social repercussions.
A quiet segment of Kashmiri youth, predominantly from the General Category, feels alienated and demoralized. They speak in hushed tones of unfair treatment, a dwindling faith in public sector jobs, and the futility of “competing on merit” in a system that appears to have already allocated positions based on identity. This disillusionment prompts many to seek opportunities outside J&K or turn to the private sector, even if their aspirations lay in public administration.
For some, the emotional fatigue leads to giving up entirely; as hard work seemingly no longer yields proportionate rewards. To reinstate faith in fairness and the principle of equality, the reservation structure demands rationalization. Periodic reviews, anchored in updated socio-economic data and ground realities, must be institutionalized.
Reservations should function as transitional support for historically disadvantaged groups, not permanent entitlements. The total percentage of reserved seats must be capped within constitutional limits, especially given how regional and linguistic quotas have inflated the overall figure beyond original intentions.
Also, merit protection needs to be woven into policy. This would not only reward high-performing candidates across all communities but also safeguard the credibility of vital institutions such as universities, medical colleges, and civil services. If poverty is indeed cross-sectional, then the EWS quota’s implementation should be executed with the same seriousness, thorough verification, and clarity as SC/ST/OBC reservations, rather than being treated as an afterthought. Crucially, a policymaking culture grounded in empathy, not merely electoral calculations, is needed. Affirmative action should never come at the cost of alienating an entire group; equity cannot translate into injustice for others.
One of the most pressing reforms required today is the establishment of a district-level oversight mechanism to ensure the fair and responsible implementation of the reservation policy. A Reservation Scrutiny Committee, chaired by the Additional Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner Revenue should be instituted in every Deputy Commissioner’s office across Jammu and Kashmir.
This committee must comprise officers from the Social Welfare, Revenue, and Legal Services Authority, thereby combining legal insight, administrative authority, and grassroots data. Beyond simply verifying certificates, this body must rigorously scrutinize the legitimacy of each claim, ensuring that the spirit of reservation – intended for genuine upliftment – is not diluted by misuse or political favouritism.
Every approved or rejected case should be digitally recorded and published on a publicly accessible online portal, fostering a transparent record that the public can trust. Moreover, the committee’s findings and decisions must be regularly submitted to the Chief Secretary’s office, guaranteeing high-level oversight, timely corrections, and accountability.
A system as sensitive and impactful as reservations cannot operate in obscurity; it must be visible, verifiable, and answerable not just to the law, but to the very people it purports to serve. A separate post, Assistant Commissioner Reservations, can also be created in each district to be entrusted with this duty at the district level.
Ultimately, the aim of reservation should be empowerment, not appeasement. In Jammu and Kashmir, the policy urgently needs recalibration to align with the realities of a rapidly evolving socio-economic landscape. The General Category youth are not demanding special treatment; they simply seek a fair chance to succeed based on their merit and effort. Ignoring their voices today risks a heavy social cost tomorrow, manifested in mistrust, outward migration, and apathy. A truly just system is one that elevates the weak without simultaneously crushing the strong. The time to achieve that balance is now.
(Author’s engagement extends to broader themes of public policy, governance, and the pursuit of social justice. Through his writings, he consistently advocates for transparency, accountability, and the equitable implementation of policies designed for societal upliftment and inclusive development. He can be reached on [email protected])
