New Delhi, August 20: The Congress on Wednesday urged the Modi Government to implement reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in private higher educational institutions (HEIs), citing recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education.
In a statement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Committee—chaired by senior party leader Digvijaya Singh—has submitted a report to Parliament backing the extension of quotas to private HEIs.
The statement recalled that Article 15(5) of the Constitution, introduced by the UPA Government in 2006 through the 93rd Amendment, empowers the Centre to mandate such reservations. The Supreme Court, in its 2014 verdict on Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust v Union of India, also upheld the constitutional validity of the provision. Despite this, no enabling legislation has been enacted so far.
Data presented before the Committee underscored the underrepresentation of marginalised groups in private institutions, including those recognised as Institutions of Eminence (IoEs). According to the findings, SC students accounted for just 0.89%, ST students for 0.53%, and OBC students for 11.16% of total enrolments.
In response, the Committee unanimously recommended a law ensuring 15% reservations for SCs, 7.5% for STs, and 27% for OBCs in private HEIs.
Ramesh emphasised that the issue is long overdue and cannot be overlooked any further. He also pointed out that the Congress, in its 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto “Nyay Patra,” had already promised to bring such legislation.
“The Parliamentary Committee has given fresh momentum to this demand. The ball is now in the Modi Government’s court,” Ramesh said.
