Affirmative action at the crossroads (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 1: Society
Prelims level: Reservation System
Mains level: US University admission discrimination plunge

Context

• In 2014, it was alleged that Harvard University discriminates against Asian-American applicants in the undergraduate admissions process.
• Harvard acknowledged that they did, indeed, use race as one factor among many, mainly to ensure a diverse student body.
• This issue is very close to the issue of reservations in India and thus it is necessary to discuss the need for reservations n India, issues related to it and way forward.

Reservation in India

• The Hindu Society since ancient times has been arranged into four Varnas, namely, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Among these, Shudras were called the lower grade people and have been recipients to atrocities like being considered untouchables and polluting etc. This has transcended into Indian society.
• The innumerable jatis we have today have the people designated as Scheduled Castes and Tribes as per the Indian Constitution who have safeguards in Schedules 5 and 6 of the Indian Constitution, National Commissions of SCs and STs under Articles 338 and 338A etc. This makes it necessary to provide reservations to the people who are educationally and socially backward.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 15(4) provides for reasonable restrictions and allows the state to provide special provisions for the empowerment of educationally and socially backward people of the society
• Article 46 of the Constitution states that the State shall promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the society.
• Article 16 provides for reservations for SCs and STs in employment etc.

Key issues

• As mentioned earlier applications to Harvard were scrutinized based on race but this as per the management is necessary as the applications received for a limited number of seats have perfect scores and only academic criteria may not be enough.
• In India, the reservations on cutoffs for admissions, jobs etc. are argued to be against the equality principle of the Indian Constitution as enshrined in Articles 14, 15 etc.
• There is the issue of ‘Legacy admissions’ in which donations, recommendations and Alumni status of parents makes the entry path easier into educational institutions both in the US and India.

Conclusion

• It is thus considered that legacy admissions should not be favoured and reservations should be rational.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Which one of the following best describe the term “Brown Label ATMs”?
(a) These are owned and operated to increase the geographical spread of ATMs.
(b) These mainly operated to enhance financial inclusion.
(c) These are owned and operated to increase the supply of money abroad.
(d) Banks outsource these ATM operations to a third party to improve banking operations.

Answer: D
Mains Questions:
Q.1) The Harvard undergraduate admissions case has elements that strongly resonate with the Indian reservation debate. Critically examine the statement.