Does EWS reservation include people from SC and ST groups?

No, the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation does not include people from Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) groups.

According to the eligibility criteria established under the 103rd Amendment, EWS reservation is specifically designed for candidates who are not covered under any existing reservation schemes, such as those for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Key details regarding this exclusion include:

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Target Population: The EWS category is intended for the "un-reserved" or general category of citizens who meet specific economic criteria but were previously ineligible for traditional caste-based reservations.

Definition of EWS: In India, EWS is defined as a subcategory of people who do not belong to SC, ST, or OBC groups and have an annual family income of less than ₹8 lakh.

Legal Framework: The amendment aims to provide a 10% quota for economically disadvantaged individuals from the "well-represented" classes who are effectively excluded from the benefits of Article 15(4) and 15(5), which cover SCs, STs, and OBCs.

Constitutional Challenge: This exclusion of SC, ST, and OBC groups from the EWS quota was one of the central points in the legal challenges against the amendment's validity, though the Supreme Court ultimately upheld the exclusion.

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In summary, because SC and ST groups are already entitled to their own specific reservation quotas (15% and 7.5% respectively at the central level), they are legally prohibited from claiming benefits under the EWS category.

Does EWS reservation include people from SC and ST groups?

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