The University Grants Commission (UGC) is soliciting feedback to bolster the implementation of reservation policies in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). They have released a set of draft guidelines and are encouraging stakeholders to share their opinions and suggestions via the University Activity Monitoring Portal (UAMP) until January 28, 2024.

In 2006, the UGC introduced guidelines for implementing the Indian government's reservation policy, presently accessible on the UGC website. To stay in sync with constitutional provisions and address contemporary needs, the UGC is now looking to revamp these guidelines.

Expert Committee Review and Stakeholder Participation

In line with this objective, the UGC has assembled an expert committee. This committee's primary task is to reassess and modernize the 2006 guidelines by incorporating recent office orders, memorandums, and court decisions. Encouraging stakeholder participation aims to craft an inclusive and robust framework.

The initiative seeks to create an all-encompassing framework that ensures the protection of constitutional rights for marginalized communities. Soliciting feedback from stakeholders aligns with the commitment to fostering a fair, inclusive, and equitable educational ecosystem.

Expansion of Reservation Policies

In 2006, the Union government expanded reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in substantially funded higher education institutions. Through the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, OBC reservations increased to 27%, contributing to the overall educational reservations of 49.5%, which includes the existing 22.5% quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).