General category reservation refers to the absence of any reservation or quotas for specific groups in a selection or admission process, such as education, employment, or government appointments. The reservation system is primarily designed to uplift the socio-economically disadvantaged communities, such as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The reservation system aims to provide equal opportunities and level the playing field for these marginalized groups, who historically faced discrimination and exclusion in society. Read more about the General Category Reservation in the Static GK and in this article in detail.

The Implementation of EWS Category

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EWS stands for Economically Weaker Section. In India, the EWS category was introduced by the government in 2019 to provide reservation benefits to economically weaker sections of the society who were previously not covered under any reservation scheme. The EWS category is applicable in government jobs and educational institutions and is meant for individuals whose family income is below a certain threshold and do not belong to any other reserved category. 

The eligibility criteria for the EWS category is based on the annual family income and the ownership of assets. The introduction of the EWS category has been seen as a positive step towards providing equal opportunities to economically weaker sections of the society who were previously left out of the reservation system. 

• Individuals whose annual family income is less than Rs. 8 lakh per annum 
• Do not own more than five acres of agricultural land, a residential flat of 1000 sq.ft, 
• or a residential plot of 100 sq. yards in notified municipalities, are eligible for the EWS category reservation. However, there have been debates and criticisms regarding the implementation of the EWS category and its impact on the already existing reserved categories.

General category reservation refers to the absence of any reservation or quotas for specific groups in a selection or admission process, such as education, employment, or government appointments. While the general category reservation system does not have any specific challenges, some of the challenges faced by this system can be indirect, and they are discussed below:

• Exclusion of disadvantaged groups : The absence of reservation for the general category may lead to the exclusion of meritorious candidates from disadvantaged groups who are socially or economically marginalized . This may perpetuate social inequality and limit the opportunities for these groups .
• Lack of diversity : The absence of reservation for the general category may result in a lack of diversity in educational institutions and workplaces . It may lead to an unbalanced and unequal society and limit the opportunities for candidates from different social backgrounds.
• Perception of unfairness : Some people may perceive the absence of reservation for the general category as unfair, as they may feel that it gives an undue advantage to candidates from other reserved categories. This can lead to dissatisfaction and unrest among certain sections of society.
• Limited opportunities for certain groups: In some cases, certain social or economic groups may not have access to education or employment opportunities due to a lack of resources or other factors. In such cases, the absence of reservation for the general category may further limit their opportunities and prevent them from achieving their full potential.

We hope you got a clear understanding of the General Category Reservation in India from this article. To learn more about other competitive exams, candidates can download our Testbook App and prepare for exams.