Why EWS Criteria review panel was formed?

The Government of India recently formed an Economically Weaker Section (EWS) review panel. The panel will review the criteria determining the EWS category. The panel will look into the criteria of 10% reservation for the economically weaker section in government jobs and educational institutions.

The panel was formed following the Supreme Court query to the Government of India. The SC asked, “On what rationale, the central government is fixing the quota eligibility at Rs 8 lakh?”

For a person to be labeled under OBC (Other Backward Caste), his income limit should be less than Rs 8 lakh per annum.

Apart from the above said Rs 8 lakh criteria, the following persons:

• Owning five acres of agricultural land
• Owning residential plot of 1,000 square feet
• Owning residential plot of 100 square feet in notified municipalities
• Owning residential plots of 200 square yards in areas other than the notified municipalities are not eligible to get a 10% EWS quota.

The panel is Constituted under Article 15 as Article 15 (4) says that nothing shall prevent the state from making special provisions for the advancement of the socially and educationally backward classes or scheduled tribes or scheduled caste.