Statement of Objects and Reasons.-Part IV of the Constitution containing the Directive Principles of State Policy, in article 46, lays down that the State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice. Access to education is of utmost importance in insuring advancement of persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens, who are also referred to as the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

2. The Constitution (93rd Amendment) Act, 2005, inserted clause (5) in article 15 of the Constitution, with a view to promote .the educational advancement of the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes through special provisions relating to admission of students belonging to these categories in all educational institutions, including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State. In terms of this provision, Parliament as well as the State Legislatures are empowered to make appropriate laws for the educational advancement of the weaker sections of the people.

3. With a view to give effect to the Constitutional provisions, it is expedient and necessary to make statutory provisions in the proposed Bill for reservation in matters of admissions for the students belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens (OBCs) in the Central Educational Institutions, including Institutions deemed to be Universities established, maintained or aided by the Central Government. The provisions of the proposed Bill, inter alia, will not apply to the minority educational institutions referred to in clause (1) of article 30.

4. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objective.

[3rd January, 2007]

An Act to provide for the reservation in admission of the students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes of citizens, to certain Central Educational Institutions established, maintained or aided by the Central Government, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:-