Reservations for Other Backward Classes in Jammu and Kashmir: An Impact Assessment

Abstract

Reservation is a system of affirmative action that provides historically disadvantaged groups representation in education, employment and politics in India. This research article assesses the impact of reservations on the economic and educational condition of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 ¹ provided for the reservations in appointments, and admissions in professional institutions to socially and educationally backward classes of the State. The theoretical framework and historical underpinnings of reservations in India have been examined based on secondary data and a survey of OBC beneficiaries (through purposive sampling) in the Jammu district done to assess the impact on the target groups. The authors find that the present approach to reservations has shown dismal improvement in the economic and educational lots of the OBCs in J&K. There is a need for a rational criterion for identifying the beneficiaries and proportionate quantum of reservations. A holistic and integrated approach for addressing lacunas in policy will help bring the required change.