Drawbacks of Article 16 Of The Indian Constitution
- Reverse discrimination: It is well known that the reservation system established by Article 16 leads to discrimination against non-reserved categories. Despite being more competent than a candidate in the reserved category, some people believe that the reservation system denies them chances they could otherwise have.
- Caste-based division: The reservation system made possible by Article 16 has also come under fire for allegedly supporting India’s caste structure. Reservations are frequently made based on caste, which can support the impression that a person’s caste is more significant than their skills or credentials. In society, this can lead to separation and conflict, especially between various caste groups.
- Insufficient representation: Although Article 16’s reservation system is intended to advance the interests of historically underrepresented groups, it has come under fire for not going far enough. Some contend that the current system of reservations is insufficient to meet the requirements of all disadvantaged groups, especially those who do not cleanly fit into the categories that are currently reserved.
- Ineffective Implementation: Article 16 is only effective when it is carried out correctly. The reservation system’s implementation, however, has frequently come under fire for being inefficient and corruptible.
Article 16 of Indian Constitution
Article 16 of the Constitution of India, states that equality for all employment opportunities for the citizens of the country without making any discrimination based on their caste, religion, profession, and region of residence. Article 16 makes sure that citizens must be provided with government as well as private opportunities regardless of their economic background. Additionally, Article 16 gives the State the power to establish rules for the reserve of appointments or positions in favor of any underrepresented group of citizens. The clause permits the State to implement affirmative action in order to advance social justice and pull up the historically oppressed lower strata of society.
The key provisions of Article 16 are as follows:
- Equal employment opportunities must be provided for all citizens.
- No citizen must be discriminated against on the basis of sex, caste, region, or religion.
- The State may make provisions for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens, which, in the opinion of the State, are not adequately represented in the services under the State.
- Nothing in this article shall prohibit the State from providing for the reservation of positions in favor of any economically underprivileged groups of persons.