Forward caste

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Forward caste (or General caste) [1] is a term used in India to denote castes which do not fall under any of the reserved categories or castes that were not listed in OBC, SC or ST reservation lists.

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They are on average considered ahead of other castes economically and educationally. They account for about 30.8% of the population based on Schedule 10 of available data from the National Sample Survey Organisation 55th (1999–2000) and National Sample Survey Organisation 61st Rounds (2004–05) Round Survey.[ citation needed ]

Those groups that qualify for reservation benefits are listed as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Other backward class. They can avail defined quotas amongst other benefits for education, special government schemes, government employment and political representation. The lists of Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward class are compiled irrespective of religion. [2] [3]

Economically Weaker Section among forward castes were later granted less than 10% reservation by government. [4]

General caste

The term 'General caste' is used to describe groups historically considered economically better off or higher in the caste hierarchy of India.

The castes recognized as General caste by the Government of India

Communities that were considered as General caste list in some regions:

Demographics

State, U.TGeneral Castes Population %O.B.C Population %Scheduled Castes Population %Scheduled Tribes Population %
Andhra Pradesh [5] 25.4%50%19%5.6%
Bihar [6] 15.52%63.13%19.65%1.68%

Economic and educational status

As of 2007, forward castes had to compete only in the open category, as they are considered socially, educationally, and economically advanced. The open category seats can be competed and filled by any section of the society irrespective of the caste. Due to rigorous demand and the relative financial weakness of the people of the General category, the Government of India introduced 10% as EWS quota for them, which makes their total reservation to 10%. However, in certain states, such as Tamil Nadu, the reservation percentage is around 69%. [7]

Reservation for economically backward among forward castes

Before 2019, forward castes were only allowed to compete for seats in the unreserved category in educational institutions and central government jobs, regardless of their educational/economical status in society. A significant percentage of the forward caste lives below the poverty line, and more than 30% of the members of this community are illiterate. To meet their aspirations, demands have been raised for providing separate reservations for the poor among forward caste populations. Many political parties like BJP, Samajwadi Party, LJP, Rastriya Janata Dal, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Bahujan Samaj Party [8] [9] [10] [11] have supported proposals for providing a separate reservation for the poor among the forward castes.

Timeline

State and central governments have not released adequate data regarding the representation of various communities in their services and admissions to educational institutions.[ citation needed ] Most of the private companies in India do not collect data regarding the community of their employees.

Rural landholding pattern of various social groups calculated by National Sample Survey 99-00 indicate that OBC and forward castes are comparable in wealth RuralLandholding.jpg
Rural landholding pattern of various social groups calculated by National Sample Survey 99-00 indicate that OBC and forward castes are comparable in wealth

Shrinking educational opportunities

During April 2006, India's Human Resource Minister announced that 27% seats will be reserved exclusively for candidates from Other Backward class in addition to existing 22.5% reservation for Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes. [28]

Many states do not have 27% of Other Backward class population, as per national sample surveys. (This includes major Indian states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal). Some Indian states like Assam [ citation needed ], Goa [ citation needed ], Haryana [ citation needed ], Himachal Pradesh [ citation needed ], Uttarakhand [ citation needed ], have more than 50% Forward castes population, which means the number of seats secured by Forward castes will not be equal to their population proportion even if they secure 100% seats in open competition in central government institutions of these states. Central government, however, excluded 27% reservations to Other Backward class to the areas with high tribal populations. [29]

However, on 7 January 2019, the Union Council of Ministers approved 10% reservation for the forward castes in government jobs and educational institutions. This group is classified as the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). [30] The cabinet decided that this would be over and above the existing 50% reservation for SC/ST/OBC categories. [31]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ Sumedha Gupta. The Study of the Impact of Early Life Conditions on Later Life Events. Rozenberg publishers. p. 119.
  2. ↑ Gaurang R. Sahay (2004). "Hierarchy, difference and the caste system". In Dipankar Gupta (ed.). Caste in Question. SAGE. pp. 130–131. ISBN   9780761933243.
  3. ↑ Girukamukkalla Savaraiah (1988). Rural Banking in India. Daya Publishing House. ISBN   9788170350446.
  4. ↑ Balakrishnan Nair, V. (1994). Social Development and Demographic Changes in South India. ISBN   9788185880501 . Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Minhaz, Ayesha (7 November 2023). "Andhra Pradesh hopes caste census will enhance data-driven governance". Frontline. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  6. ↑ Joy, Shemin. "Caste survey in Bihar: OBCs, EBCs make up 63.13% of population; Gen Category 15.52%". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  7. ↑ Tamil Nadu's quota stir an assertion of its 69 percent? (NEWS ANALYSIS) - India Archived 2012-07-13 at archive.today
  8. ↑ Laloo bats for upper caste reservations, ExpressIndia, 5 May 2006. Archived March 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ Left strikes a masterstroke, ExpressIndia, 17 May 2006. Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ "Paswan for quota for economically backward". The Hindu. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ↑ "Cong. for 'quota' for poor among forward castes". The Hindu. 14 August 2003. Archived from the original on 17 March 2004.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ↑ Bureau, The Rediff News. "Will Modi's quota meet same fate as Narasimha Rao's?". Rediff. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  13. ↑ "The Hindu : GoM to study quota for poor among forward castes". Archived from the original on October 21, 2003. Retrieved 14 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ↑ "The Hindu Business Line: Jobs for economically backward classes: 4-member commission set up" . Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "Commission for economically backward classes constituted". The Hindu . 2006-07-25. Archived from the original on 2007-03-13. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  16. ↑ "The Kerala Professional Colleges Bill And Social Justice" . Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  17. ↑ "TN Act on reservation under 9th schedule illegal". The Hindu. 31 October 2006. Archived from the original on 2008-05-23.
  18. ↑ "League locks horns with upper castes, The Milli Gazette, Vol.5 No.15, MG109 (1-15 Aug 04)" . Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "Are Brahmins the Dalits of today?" . Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  20. ↑ FINAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE -3.10.2006.doc
  21. ↑ "OBC population has increased: NSSO". Hindustan Times. 31 October 2006. Archived from the original on 21 March 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2006. The National The Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) report released on Tuesday reveals that the OBC population has increased from 35.8 per cent in 1999 to 41 per cent in 2004-05. The survey brings out that the OBCs have a buying capacity almost equal to that of the forward communities and more than SC's and ST's. In rural India, as many as eight per cent of OBCs spends Rs 1,100 or more every month as compared to 11 per cent of the forward communities.
  22. ↑ Surjit S Bhalla, OBC: the Oh, so average Indian, Business Standard, 14 June 2013.
  23. ↑ "Union Cabinet approves 10% reservation for economically weak among upper caste". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  24. ↑ "Plea in SC challenges 10% quota to poor in general category". The Economic Times. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  25. ↑ "Quotas for poor among 'forward castes' upheld: Here's the case and what the SC has ruled".
  26. ↑ "Supreme Court upholds EWS quota in 3-2 split verdict, CJI in minority". The Times of India .
  27. ↑ "Reservation policy cannot stay for indefinite period, says Supreme Court". The Hindu .
  28. ↑ "Quota for OBCs: "No escape for Government"". The Hindu . 2006-04-08. Archived from the original on 2006-04-09. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "Reserve 27% seats for OBCs in 3 years: Bill". 30 August 2006. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  30. ↑ "Union Cabinet approves 10% reservation for economically weak among upper caste". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  31. ↑ "Plea in SC challenges 10% quota to poor in general category". The Economic Times. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
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