Reservation for EWS under Article 15
Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Recently, the government has introduced a new category for the economically weaker sections (EWS) of society, who may not necessarily belong to any particular caste or class but face economic disadvantages. The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, provides for 10% reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for candidates belonging to the EWS category.
The EWS category covers households with an annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh and possessing less than 5 acres of agricultural land. This reservation is in addition to the existing quotas for the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), which still continue to receive reservations as per their respective quotas.
Article 15 of Indian Constitution
Article 15 of the Indian Constitution is a crucial provision that prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. This article provides for the right to equality and is a fundamental principle of the Indian Constitution. The purpose of this article is to ensure that every citizen of India has equal access to opportunities and benefits without any discrimination. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of Article 15 of the Indian Constitution and how it relates to the right to equality and non-discrimination.