RAS question
The 103rd Amendment Act, 2019 provides for:
Correct answer: (D) 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in education and public employment.
The Constitution 103rd Amendment Act, 2019 inserted Articles 15(6) and 16(6), enabling 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in education and public employment.
Explanation
The 103rd Amendment is about EWS reservation, not an extension or reshuffling of existing caste-based quotas. It inserted Articles 15(6) and 16(6) to provide up to 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections, defined here as those outside SC/ST/OBC reservation and below the stated family-income threshold. The PIB release confirms the same constitutional route: EWS reservation was provided under Articles 15(6) and 16(6), inserted by the Constitution 103rd Amendment Act, 2019. It also clarifies that this 10% EWS quota is distinct from SC, ST and OBC reservation under Articles 15(4) and 16(4). That distinction is why option D captures the amendment accurately.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) The amendment did not create mandatory OBC reservation in the private sector; the 103rd Amendment created a distinct EWS quota under Articles 15(6) and 16(6).
- (B) Extension of SC/ST reservation is not the subject of the 103rd Amendment; PIB specifically separates the EWS quota from SC and ST reservation under Articles 15(4) and 16(4).
- (C) Reservation for women in Parliament is unrelated to the 103rd Amendment, which provides 10% EWS reservation through Articles 15(6) and 16(6).
Concept
This tests constitutional amendments and reservation policy, especially the difference between EWS reservation and SC/ST/OBC reservation. It recurs in RAS because social justice, equality provisions and landmark constitutional changes are core governance themes.