UGC Directs Universities, Colleges To Implement EWS Quota

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of the society in government jobs and educational institutions. Under the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which houses the provision for EWS reservation, 10 per cent of the seats in higher education institutions (HEIs) will be reserved for those belonging to the EWS category, barring SCs, STs, and OBCs.

The Central government has already released funds for the implementation of the Act.

The UGC had issued orders to all central universities, colleges, and deemed-to-be universities whose maintenance expenses it provides, directing them to implement the newly-introduced quota policy from the academic year 2019-20 onwards.

The Centre has approved creating 2.14 lakh additional seats in 158 centrally funded institutions at Rs 4,315 crores, the Indian Express reported.  To ensure that the current EWS quota reservation is implemented without taking away opportunities for other students, the Centre has asked HEIs to increase intake by 25 per cent.