Reservation Roster – An Overview

The Reservation Roster is a systematic representation of how reserved category candidates (such as SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and others) are allotted seats or posts in educational institutions and government jobs. It ensures the implementation of reservation policies as mandated by the Constitution of India to promote social equity and inclusion.

Purpose of Reservation Roster:

The primary purpose of the reservation roster is to ensure that the prescribed percentage of reserved seats/posts are allocated fairly and transparently across various levels and departments over time. It prevents any manipulation or bias and maintains accountability in the recruitment and admission processes.

Legal Framework:

The reservation system is governed by Articles 15(4), 16(4), and 46 of the Indian Constitution. Various judgments, office memorandums, and guidelines by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and University Grants Commission (UGC) govern the preparation and implementation of rosters.

Types of Rosters:

  1. 100-Point Roster: Commonly used for Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ posts in government.
  2. Roster Register: Maintained to track appointments and vacancies over the years.
  3. Post-Based Roster: Every post is earmarked for a particular category to ensure representation in a cyclic manner.

Reservation Quotas (as per current policy):

  • Scheduled Castes (SC): 15%
  • Scheduled Tribes (ST): 7.5%
  • Other Backward Classes (OBC): 27%
  • Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 10%

(Subject to state-specific variations.)

Implementation:

In colleges and universities, the reservation roster applies to faculty recruitment, student admissions, and staff appointments. Institutions must maintain category-wise vacancy records and follow the order of merit within the reserved category for selections.

Challenges:

  • Misinterpretation or faulty maintenance of rosters.
  • Resistance to reservation from non-reserved category stakeholders.
  • Legal challenges affecting the implementation in some states or institutions.

Conclusion:

The reservation roster plays a crucial role in achieving the constitutional goal of equality and upliftment of historically disadvantaged communities. Regular audits, transparency, and adherence to legal norms are vital for its success.