Central Educational Institutions Act amended by Rajya Sabha

From now on, some of the central institutions will be exempted to implement the other backward castes (OBC) quota, after the Rajya Sabha passed amendments to the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admissions) Act, 2006.

The amendment is applicable to institutions where implementation of the Act exceeds the 50 per cent reservation limit fixed by the Supreme Court.

As per the amendment, if seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes in a central educational institution exceeds 50 per cent of the annual strength permitted, the institution need not make any reservation for OBCs.

According to the amendment, if such an institution is located in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Assam's tribal areas, the percentage of seats reserved for SC/ST candidates will not be reduced from the level obtaining on the date immediately preceding the date of the Act's commencement.

In case the institution is in any other area, the percentage of seats reserved for SC/ST candidates will be reduced to 50.

Source: Economic Times