MLA, Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, raised concerns over the State’s Reservation policy during Zero Hour on the Second day of the Seventh Session of the 14th NLA on 4th September, 2025. He highlighted that, despite being in place for several decades, many underprivileged and voiceless individuals within both the Advanced Tribes (AT) and Backward Tribes (BT) continue to have limited access to opportunities and resources for social advancement.
He observed that even after 48 years of implementation, the benefits of the Reservation policy have primarily gone to the more advanced and urban elite groups—the so-called creamy layer—which undermines the very objective of the policy. He therefore urged the government to review the system to ensure that weaker sections from both ATs and BTs are supported and given equitable opportunities.
In this regard, Dr. Rhutso put forward the following suggestions:
1. Introduce two categories: General Category (GC) for the well-off sections of ATs and the creamy layer of BTs, and Reserved Category (RC) for the underprivileged sections of both ATs and BTs, with clear government criteria for classification.
2. Allocate 50% reservation for GC and 50% for RC.
3. Allow applicants to choose between GC or RC; GC applicants would require minimal scrutiny, while RC applicants may be required to sign a declaration bond.
4. Permit ATs and BTs to have further sub-reservation within their respective categories.
5. Ensure that NSSB and NPSC results are declared strictly on merit, but with a 50/50 distribution between GC and RC.
6. For backlog vacancies, if a reserved seat remains unfilled by a particular tribe, it should be offered to the next tribe in line, ensuring qualified candidates are not deprived of timely opportunities and to prevent cases of overage.
7. Each individual should be allowed to avail the Reservation quota only once in their lifetime.
8. No Reservation should be applicable for professional services through NPSC/NSSB if the candidate has already availed the RC quota earlier, such as during admissions for JEE, NEET, or higher technical studies.
