Quota System and Dream of Vikshit Bharat

India is on the cusp of embracing a dystopian education and jobs quota system, driven by crass politics and even judicial interventions. The Supreme Court, in a recent judgment on reservations, has backed the idea of sub-quotas within quotas for the really backward within any category.

The supreme Court verdict will set the better off sections among the Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) against others in the same broad categories, since the mandate implies a reduction of opportunities for those cast that have so far benefited most from quotas. This will, in turn, generate intra-caste conflicts.

It is worth noting that the current conflict in Manipur was triggered by a judicial verdict last year that said Hindu Meiteis can also be designated as STs, which was violently opposed by the Kukis.

No political party wants to alienate any sub-group of quota beneficiaries. Some states have long before moved to 69 per cent (Tamil Nadu). It is now inevitable that 69-75 per cent will be the new target for quota enthusiasts.

To prevent a descent into aggressive identity politics and the endless expansion of the quota regime – which will ultimately drive talent overseas or to the high-skill niches – governments (Centre and states), public intellectuals and private sector think-tanks must develop an alternative strategy to ensure an upgrade in the competitive abilities of SCs, STs AND OBCs. This may help whittle down the quota regime over time instead of making it irreversible.

Job opportunities for skilled is increasing the rapid induction of technology and automation in both manufacturing and services, skill demand is becoming polarised. There is huge demand for high skills (think cyber experts, neurosurgeons), and equally robust demand for lower-skilled jobs aided by technology (think Uber drivers, security staff, logistics and delivery persons, retail clerks). While no one will hire a cybersecurity expert or brain surgeon through quotas.

Many otherwise qualified students and first-time job seekers do not have the mentoring inputs necessary to help them succeed.

In the ultimate analysis, it is a bad idea to think that the only way to do this is through quotas. Viksit Bharat won’t be built by quotas. Nor will it come about if we are busy fighting internal civil wars over quotas.

R. Jagannathan

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