NEW DELHI: The historic bill to provide 10 per cent reservation to general category poor in jobs and education was signed by the President on Saturday. President Ram Nath Kovind's assent was the last step in the legislative process. Earlier, the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with the support of most parties at the end of a bustling day with the government describing it as historic and in country’s interest.

Today, while addressing the BJP's National Convention on ten-per cent reservation in education and government jobs for the youth from economically weaker sections, Modi said that it will enhance the confidence of 'New India’, asserting that the new arrangement will not encroach upon anyone's rights.

Since the quota will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation to SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution will have to be amended for implementation of the Modi govt's proposed reservation for economically weak upper castes. This reservation will be over and above the existing 50 percent reservation.


Here are things to know about the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019:



  • The beneficiaries of this reservation will be those belonging to economically weaker section hailing from castes like Brahman, Thakur, Kayastha, Baniya, Jaat, Gujjar and others

  • The economically weaker section from among these castes include those with annual income below Rs 8 lakh, or those having agriculture land below 5 acres, or those with residential house below 1000 square feet, or, those with residential plot below 109 yards in notified municipality, or those with residential plot below 209 yards in non notified municipality area

  • The 10% reservation is over and above the 50 percent mandated by the constitution

  • This reservation will be provided in both jobs (direct recruitment) and the education sector.


Who all will benefit from the 10% reservation bill?



  • Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category shall include those with annual income below 8 lakh

  • People having agricultural land below 5 acres, residential house below 1000 square feet, the residential plot below 109 yards in the notified municipality, the residential plot below 209 yards in non notified municipality area.

  • Financially poor people who do not belong to any social category (SC/ST/OBC), shall be the beneficiary of the move.

  • This reservation will be extended to those belonging to the Brahmin, Thakur, Kayastha, Baniya, Jaat, Gujjar and other communities.