UGC Seeks Feedback On Reservation Policy Implementation Guidelines

The University Grants Commission (UGC) released a notice inviting comments, feedback or suggestions on the draft guidelines for the implementation of the Reservation Policy of the Government of India (GoI) in Higher Education Institutes (HEls). The notice is currently available on the commission’s official website at ugc.gov.in. These guidelines, according to the proposed UGC draft, will be applied to all central universities, deemed-to-be-universities, and other autonomous institutions governed by the Government of India.

Stakeholders can provide comments and feedback on the UGC’s University Activity Monitoring Portal (UAMP) at https://uamp.ugc.ac.in/ until January 28, 2024. “The UGC has constituted an expert committee to prepare the guidelines for the implementation of the reservation policy of the government in Universities/Deemed to be universities, colleges and other grant-in-aid institutions and centres in the country,” reads the official notice.

The main reason for UGC forming the expert committee is to prepare and review the current reservation guidelines from 2006, the notice mentions. To frame these guidelines under the most recent office record and various memorandums, court decisions, and to carry out the provisions of the constitution in the interests of the weaker sections of society, UGC’s notice states.

According to reports, the Union government extended reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in institutes of higher education that it substantially funded in 2006. The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act of 2006 provided 27 per cent of reservations for OBCs. When combined with the existing 22.5 per cent quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), this increased education reservations in such institutions to 49.5 per cent.

UGC Reservation Policy: For Professor Vacancy

According to Chapter IV of the draft reservation policy, there will be a 15 per cent reservation for candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), 7.5 per cent for candidates from Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 27 per cent for candidates from Other Backward Classes (OBC) in direct recruitment for the positions of assistant professor, associate professor, and professors.

UGC Reservation Policy: For University Admission

If no suitable applicants are found for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (OBC), or Economically Weaker Section (EWS) seats, institutions may make up to three attempts to fill them in an academic year. However, any vacant seats will not be carried forward as a backlog to the following year.

UGC Reservation Policy: For Civil Posts

Candidates from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) who are not covered by the reservation scheme for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), or Other Backward Classes (OBCs) will be given 10 per cent reservation in direct recruitment to civil posts and services in the Government of India (GoI).