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

What will the panel do?

• The panel will review the criteria determining the EWS category.
• It will examine approaches followed in identifying EWS category.
• It will analyse and recommend a new criteria to identify the EWS in the country.

Why was the panel constituted?

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 person to be labelled under OBC (Other Backward Caste), his income limit should be less than Rs 8 lakh per annum. This was questioned by the Supreme Court.

How is the EWS identified currently?

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 plot of 200 square yards in areas other than the notified municipalities