On 4 April 2026, the BJP-led Odisha government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved a major revision of reservation policy in medical, engineering, and technical education. The Hindu
The new policy raises:
- ST quota from 12% to 22.50%
- SC quota from 8% to 16.25%
- Introduces a fresh 11.25% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC/SEBC). Indian Express
The changes apply to all state universities, affiliated colleges, medical, dental, engineering, pharmacy, Ayurveda, and other technical programmes. Hindustan Times
Why This Is a “Gem”
- Reinforces Caste as the Primary Identity: By dramatically increasing caste-based quotas in the most competitive and merit-driven fields (medicine and engineering), the policy institutionalizes the idea that opportunities must be distributed according to caste rather than individual merit or economic need.
- Moves Away from a Casteless Society: India’s Constitution envisions eventual elimination of caste-based discrimination. Instead of working towards that long-term goal, the BJP government has chosen to expand and entrench caste quotas in critical professional education.
- Dilution of Merit in Vital Sectors: Medical and technical education directly impact public health and infrastructure. Allocating nearly 50% of seats purely on caste lines (ST + SC + OBC now totals ~50%) reduces the pool of seats available on pure merit.
- No Focus on Genuine Upliftment: The policy does not address root causes such as poor primary education or economic backwardness. It simply expands reservation as a quick political fix, deepening sectarianism rather than creating equal opportunity. Economic Times
The Real Cost of Reservation
- Merit erosion in medicine and engineering, where patient lives and national development are at stake.
- Growing resentment among general category students, especially from economically weaker families.
- Perpetuation of caste consciousness — instead of moving society towards castelessness, the policy ensures future generations continue to view each other through the lens of caste.
- Vote-bank politics over genuine social justice.
Broader Pattern Under BJP Rule
This decision fits a wider pattern where the BJP has repeatedly expanded or introduced new caste-based reservations when in power, deepening caste divisions rather than dismantling them.
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