Reservation Criteria for IAS Exam 2020

In India, we follow the reservation system. The weaker sections of the society are given special privileges by looking at their socio-economic conditions and circumstances where they live. There is a provision in the Indian constitution, Article 16, according to which state government can make provisions for the weaker sections of the society.

Reservation Criteria for IAS Exam 2020

In India, we follow the reservation system. The weaker sections of the society are given special privileges by looking at their socio-economic conditions and circumstances where they live. There is a provision in the Indian constitution, Article 16, according to which state government can make provisions for the weaker sections of the society. In order to bring SC/ST/OBC (Schedule Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward Classes) in the mainstream society, the government of India decided to provide them reservation in UPSC and other government jobs.  

For SC/ST/OBC candidates, there are a lot of relaxations made by the government. Mainly they get relaxation in age, number of attempts, fees, etc. Besides, the government also provides financial support to the meritorious students of the weaker sections. A stipulated amount is provided to them on clearing each stage of the examination to help them in preparing for the next level. 

Conditions For Availing The Benefit of Caste-based Reservation in UPSC 

• The central Government of India has issued a list of reserved categories and caste. A candidate will get the benefit of this reservation only if the caste mentioned by him is covered under the said list.
• The central government shall never entertain the change of caste. This rule will also be able to physically challenged students.
• It may be possible that the candidate becomes unfortunate to face any disability during the exams. In such a case, candidates should have to produce sufficient documents regarding the disability to avail of the benefits.
• Candidates who are seeking the benefit of reservation in the UPSC exam must ensure that they are eligible as per laws and should have required certificates. 

Conditions For Availing The Benefit of Disability-based Reservation in UPSC

Under “The Persons with Disability Act, 1995", the physically disabled or differently-abled candidates can apply for the UPSC CSE exam. UPSC exams are open to all the Indians and few seats are reserved for differently able candidates. 

The terms and conditions are as follows - 

• Candidates having a disability percentage of more than 40% are only eligible for these reservation benefits.
• Candidates who are applying for physically disabled have to present a certificate of disability issued by the Medical Board commissioned by the Central or State government. This medical board must have one member at least who has specialized in the area of the mentioned disability.
• The services which are given in the list of services by UPSC, physically disabled candidates should have the ability to do specific functional requirements for particular services.
• The date on which the disability certificate is issued should be prior to the last date for the application of the UPSC prelims exam form. 

Benefits of Reservation in UPSC 2020 

Let us now see the benefits of reservation in UPSC 2020 that students of weaker section get 

Relaxation in Age 

Candidates, who belong to SC/ST category, enjoy relaxation up to 5 years in their age. Where the general category students are eligible to appear for the exam up to 32 years of age, SC/ST students can attempt up to 37 years. For OBC students, the relaxation is of 3 years. So OBC candidates can appear in the examination up to 35 years of age. 3 years are also relaxed for candidates who are from defence services and up to 5 years if a UPSC aspirant is domiciled in J&K. For the proof of date of birth, the HSC certificate is valid. For applying for the examination, HSC or SSC certificates are acceptable. The age should fall in the given criteria as on the date of notification for the UPSC prelims exam. 

Number of Attempts 

The general candidates will get 6 attempts maximum. For SC/ST candidates there is no ceiling limit on the number of attempts. I.e. there are unlimited attempts for SC/ST students. OBC students can take 9 attempts. There are unlimited attempts for PH (Physically handicapped) students.