India has come a long way in terms of an evolved education system fostering inclusivity and benefiting some of the marginalized sections of society. Importantly, the reservation policy for orphans has been dropped in the latest times to offer opportunities for one of the most unsecured sections in society. Reserving contested seats in higher educational institutions, particularly its PG Medical seats goes a long way towards creating a more level playing field and resuscitates the underprivileged to hone their academic acumen.
This article explores the rationales, implications, and challenges of orphan reservation policies in India through the lens of the recent 1% reservation for orphans in postgraduate medical courses in Maharashtra.
Background: Why is Orphan Reservation Necessary?
India has a long way to go for the betterment of more of its children, especially for orphaned children who rank in the most disadvantaged group. They grow up without parents, they have no legal guardians, no social safety net, and as a result are often devoid of access to education, healthcare, or even a stable place to sleep. There have been numerous governmental and non-governmental arrangements for child welfare but orphaned children category educational and professional opportunities are largely missing in a well-structured manner.
Since its inception, India’s reservation regime has been designed to provide a level playing field to the relatively disadvantaged and underprivileged iteration inter alia as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), or Persons with Disabilities (PWD). This is because, as insufficient as these social categories may be on their own, also based on caste, socioeconomic background, or physical abilities, the inclusion of the orphan category for reservations admits that orphans face a new set of hurdles not effectively addressed by existing social categorizations.
Maharashtra’s Initiative: A Pioneer Move
In a historic move, the Government of Maharashtra, through its Government Resolution No. Orphan – 2022/C.R. 122/Ka-03, announced on April 6, 2023, that 1% of seats in postgraduate medical courses would be reserved for orphan candidates. This reservation is part of a broader initiative aimed at ensuring orphans have access to higher education opportunities and professional careers in fields that are otherwise difficult to enter due to the high level of competition.
The policy is implemented horizontally, meaning that it cuts across all existing categories (such as SC, ST, OBC, etc.), ensuring that orphaned children have a chance to secure admission based on merit while still receiving the benefit of reservation.
The inclusion of orphans as a distinct category in the reservation policy is a reflection of the growing recognition that these children need more targeted support to overcome the unique obstacles they face. By offering 1% reservation in postgraduate medical seats, the government hopes to provide them with an opportunity to build a stable and prosperous future, while also encouraging other states to adopt similar measures.
The Legal and Social Context
The reservation for orphans is rooted in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015, which defines an orphan as a child who has no biological or adoptive parents or legal guardians, or a child whose legal guardian is unable or unwilling to take care of them. The definition also includes children abandoned by their families.
Before this specific reservation, orphans were often left out of most social welfare schemes that were designed for disadvantaged groups. The lack of parental support and guidance makes it difficult for these children to compete on an even footing with peers who have stable family backgrounds. Without access to mentorship, financial support, and a conducive environment, orphans often lag in academic achievements and career aspirations.
The Maharashtra government’s decision to extend the benefits of reservation to orphans represents a recognition of these hardships. By including orphans in the reservation system, the state aims to address the systemic inequities that leave these children on the margins of society.
Implications of the Reservation Policy
The orphan reservation policy has wide-ranging implications, not just for the individuals who benefit directly, but also for society at large:
- Social Justice and Equality: This move aligns with the larger goal of social justice, providing equal opportunities to those who are socially and economically marginalized. By giving orphans a fair chance at education and career development, the policy strives to mitigate the cycle of poverty and neglect that often traps such children.
- Increased Access to Medical Education: With 1% reservation in medical postgraduate courses, orphaned children who meet the merit criteria will now have the opportunity to enter one of the most competitive and prestigious fields. Medical education, which has traditionally been accessible only to the financially and socially privileged, will now be within reach of children who may have previously thought it unattainable.
- Broader Educational Impacts: By offering targeted support to orphaned children, the government can encourage them to pursue higher education more broadly, not just in the medical field. This reservation policy could act as a stepping stone for other educational institutions and fields to adopt similar measures.
- Inspiration for Other States: Maharashtra’s pioneering move sets a precedent for other states to follow. Given the positive implications, it is likely that other regions will consider adopting similar policies to ensure orphaned children across the country are given a fair chance at a better life.
Challenges in Implementation
While the reservation policy is commendable, its success will depend on how well it is implemented. Some challenges include:
- Identification of Beneficiaries: One of the major hurdles in implementing the orphan reservation policy is accurately identifying the beneficiaries. Many orphans, especially those not in institutional care, may lack the necessary documentation to prove their status. This can potentially exclude a significant number of eligible children from availing of the benefits of the reservation.
- Awareness and Outreach: Many orphans may not even be aware of the existence of such reservations. It will require concerted efforts from educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the government to reach out to orphaned children and inform them of the opportunities available to them.
- Quality of Education: While reservation policies aim to provide access to education, ensuring the quality of education received by orphaned children is equally important. Often, marginalized children face difficulties adjusting to academic environments due to a lack of prior support and guidance. Special mentorship programs and additional academic support may be necessary to ensure that orphaned children succeed once they gain admission.
- Reservation Across Other Fields: Although Maharashtra has initiated orphan reservations in medical postgraduate courses, similar policies are not widespread across other fields. For the full benefit of this policy to be realized, similar reservations will need to be extended to other fields such as engineering, law, and the humanities.
Conclusion
Reservation for the Orphan category is a good as well as needed move to get more public sector jobs. Observing the hurdles faced by orphaned children and providing them avenues to make achievements in competitive sectors like medicine, the Maharashtra government has set a critical benchmark. But to be truly workable, the policy should also strive to facilitate the implementation of the decision through awareness, outreach, and assistance for orphaned kids. This initiative could be a foundational shift in the vision if only it were successful, serving as an example for other states and industries to promote fairness and justice overall.
Maharashtra cannot merely call it a policy change, it is their moral duty to rescue the weakest sections of society and give them a life filled with hope and opportunity.