Vertical and Horizontal Reservations in India: A Comprehensive Guide

Vertical and Horizontal Reservations in India: Explained

In India, reservations serve as a vital form of affirmative action aimed at enhancing the representation of marginalized communities in various sectors, including education, employment, and politics. The Supreme Court has clarified two fundamental types of reservations: vertical and horizontal, which are essential for promoting equity and social justice.

Vertical Reservations: What Are They?

Vertical reservations pertain to the allocation of seats or positions specifically reserved for certain backward communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), as outlined in Article 16(4) of the Indian Constitution. Key features include:

• Exclusive: These seats are reserved exclusively for members of the designated communities.
• Non-transferable: If reserved seats remain unfilled, they cannot be allocated to candidates from other categories.
• Capped: The total percentage of vertical reservations is capped at 50%, as mandated by the Supreme Court, to prevent excessive reservation that may undermine meritocracy.

Horizontal Reservations: What Are They?

Horizontal reservations are designed to cut across vertical categories and provide additional support to other disadvantaged groups, such as women, persons with disabilities, and veterans, within the existing vertical categories. Their features include:

• Inter-transferable: These reservations are flexible; if candidates qualifying for horizontal reservations do not fill the quota, other eligible individuals within the same vertical reservation category can take those seats.
• Minimum Guarantee: They ensure that a specified percentage of seats are reserved for candidates from these special groups, regardless of their vertical category.

Key Differences Between Vertical and Horizontal Reservations

• Allocation Basis: Vertical reservations are based on social and educational backwardness, while horizontal reservations consider additional disadvantages such as gender and disability.
• Layering: Horizontal reservations intersect with vertical reservations, allowing candidates to benefit from both depending on their social group and specific disadvantages (e.g., an OBC woman can benefit from both OBC and women's reservations).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can horizontal reservations exceed the set quota for vertical reservations?
Answer: No, horizontal reservations operate within the existing vertical reservation quotas and do not extend the total number of reserved seats.

Q2. What happens if horizontal reservation quotas are not filled?
Answer: If candidates qualifying for horizontal reservations do not fill the quota, the seats can be filled by other eligible candidates within the same vertical reservation category.

Q3. Are there any limitations on the number of reservations one can claim?
Answer: Yes, while individuals can benefit from both vertical and horizontal reservations, the total reservation for vertical categories cannot exceed 50%, ensuring a balance and availability of opportunities for unreserved categories.

Q4. How do vertical and horizontal reservations promote social justice?
Answer: Vertical reservations address historical disadvantages faced by specific communities, while horizontal reservations ensure that other marginalized groups, such as women and disabled individuals, also receive equitable opportunities.

Q5. What role does the Supreme Court play in the reservation policy?
Answer: The Supreme Court provides essential guidelines and rulings that shape the framework of reservation policies, ensuring they align with constitutional principles and maintain a balance between equity and meritocracy.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the main purpose of vertical reservations in India?
A) To enhance representation of all communities
B) To improve representation of specific backward communities
C) To eliminate reservations altogether
D) To create new categories
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which of the following groups can benefit from horizontal reservations?
A) Only Scheduled Castes
B) Women and persons with disabilities
C) Only Economically Weaker Sections
D) All communities
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: What is the maximum percentage of vertical reservations allowed by the Supreme Court?
A) 25%
B) 40%
C) 50%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: Are horizontal reservations independent of vertical quotas?
A) Yes, they create additional seats
B) No, they operate within vertical quotas
C) Yes, they can increase the total number of seats
D) No, they are exclusive to certain categories
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: Can a candidate benefit from both vertical and horizontal reservations?
A) No, they must choose one
B) Yes, depending on their background
C) No, it's against the law
D) Yes, but only for employment
Correct Answer: B