50% quotas in Central univs likely

New Delhi Reserved seats in education institutes funded by the central government will increase to almost 50 per cent when the government decides to have a quota for other backward classes (OBCs).

The decision will impact 20 central universities, the IITs, IIMs and colleges supported by the government. The government is considering accepting the Mandal Commission’s suggestion of 27 per cent reservation for backward classes in Central government educational institutions and the quota increase is a part of this.

The new policy, if implemented, would take the overall reservation in the Central government-funded higher education institutions from the current 22.5 (for SC and ST students) to 49.5 per cent.

HRD Minister Arjun Singh said on Wednesday that his ministry would announce the decision after Assembly polls end in five states. The government wants to increase reservation following the passage of the 104th amendment, which enables the Centre to go up to 27 per cent reservation and the States according to their need.

The Centre has already directed state governments to increase reservation for backward categories in the state-level institutions.

Singh has written to the states to frame laws in the light of the 104th Amendment, passed in the winter session of Parliament, which gives them the right to take steps that would ensure advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, SCs and STs in private educational institutions as well.