Reservation and Relaxation in Eligibility Criteria for Reserved Category Candidates


In order to promote social justice, equal opportunity, and inclusivity, many countries, including India, have implemented reservation policies for the benefit of various reserved categories such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and economically weaker sections (EWS). These policies aim to bridge the gap between the privileged and underprivileged sections of society by providing reservation in education, employment, and other sectors.


1. Relaxation in Eligibility Criteria
Reserved category candidates often receive relaxation in the eligibility criteria for admission to educational institutions. This relaxation can be in terms of age, minimum qualifying marks, or educational qualifications required. It is done to ensure that candidates from reserved categories, who might have faced disadvantages due to social or economic factors, have a fair chance of securing admission.

2. Reserved Seats
A certain percentage of seats in educational institutions are reserved for candidates belonging to the reserved categories. For instance, in India, the percentage of reservation varies from state to state and can range from 7.5% to 50% for different categories. These reserved seats ensure that candidates from reserved categories have access to quality education and opportunities.

3. Scholarships and Financial Assistance
To further support reserved category candidates, various scholarships and financial assistance programs are available. These programs provide financial aid to deserving candidates to pursue their education without facing financial constraints. Such initiatives aim to bridge the affordability gap and encourage candidates from reserved categories to excel academically.


1. Reservation in Government Jobs
Government organizations in many countries have reservation policies that ensure a certain percentage of job positions are reserved for candidates from reserved categories. The percentage of reservation varies from country to country and is aimed at providing equal employment opportunities and representation in public sectors.

2. Relaxation in Eligibility Criteria
Reserved category candidates may also receive relaxation in the eligibility criteria for government job positions. This can include age relaxation, minimum qualifying marks relaxation, or specific relaxation in educational qualifications required. These relaxations acknowledge the challenges faced by candidates from reserved categories and provide them with a level playing field.

3. Equal Opportunity Initiatives
Apart from reservation and relaxation in eligibility criteria, various equal opportunity initiatives are undertaken to support reserved category candidates in their employment journey. These initiatives include training programs, skill development schemes, and mentorship opportunities, which aim to enhance the employability and overall growth of candidates from reserved categories.


Reservation and relaxation in eligibility criteria for reserved category candidates are crucial steps towards achieving social justice and equal opportunity. These policies and initiatives aim to bridge the gap between privileged and underprivileged sections of society by providing access to education and employment opportunities. By implementing such measures, societies can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.