LI Network
Published on: 29 January, 2024 at 12:32 IST
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has suggested guidelines for the implementation of the reservation policy in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), proposing the de-reservation of Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) posts if sufficient candidates from these categories are not available. The guidelines are open for public feedback.
According to the draft guidelines, a vacancy reserved for SC, ST, or OBC cannot be filled by a candidate from a different category. However, if the reserved vacancy remains unfilled, it may be declared unreserved through a de-reservation procedure and then filled as an unreserved vacancy.
The guidelines note a general ban on de-reservation in the case of direct recruitment, but exceptions can be made in rare and exceptional cases for Group A services.
In such cases, a proposal for de-reservation should be submitted, outlining efforts to fill the post, reasons for its vacancy, and justification for de-reservation. The proposal must be approved by the Executive Council of the University or the Ministry of Education.
In promotions, if a sufficient number of SC and ST candidates are not available for reserved vacancies, the guidelines suggest de-reserving such vacancies and filling them with candidates from other communities.
The power to approve de-reservation in such cases will be delegated to the UGC and the Ministry of Education, provided specific conditions are met.
The proposal for de-reservation can be considered if no candidate from the reserved category is available within the specified zone or eligible for promotion in the feeder cadre. The guidelines emphasize obtaining concurrence from the liaison officer for SC, ST at the university and, in case of disagreement, seeking advice from the Department of Personnel and Training.
