India’s Reservation System: Social Justice or Permanent Paralysis?
India’s Reservation System: Social Justice or Permanent Paralysis? Reservation in India was conceived as a constitutional tool for justice. Over time, it has evolved into a politically weaponized system that now stands at the crossroads of equity, merit, national efficiency, and social unity . As a student and analyst of Indian constitutional law, it is essential to move beyond emotional binaries and confront the system with legal realism, data, and long-term national interest. This article critically examines the pros, cons, and future consequences of caste- and religion-based reservation , with special reference to constitutional provisions, Supreme Court jurisprudence, and the UGC Regulations, 2026 . Constitutional Intent vs Constitutional Reality The Indian Constitution never treated reservation as an end in itself. Articles 15(4), 16(4), and 46 empower the State to make special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, and STs . The ke...