> reservation system for the admission of scheduled castes and others residing at the bottom of India's socioeconomic pyramid Correction: it's social pyramid only. Classification of SC/STs is purely based on caste alone, not on economic status -- and we must fight to make it economic -only pyramid.
As an outsider, I would certainly agree with your comment. Caste quotas seem like they would only strengthen the system... Still, how synonymous is caste with economic status? I would guess "very" but your post makes it seem like there are some interesting nuances. What are India's caste demographics, anyway?
Actually they do. Some of my friends have come through quotas and they are no different when it comes to results. Some come from dire economic circumstances and I am happy that the quota system benefits them.
They are no different because even with quotas they have to prepare and get somewhat decent marks in the exams. I agree though that these exams become insanely difficult for the general category students. Most people have enough potential to become a doctor or an engineer, so the quality isn't affected, in my opinion. The problem comes in because seats in colleges for medicine/engg are few and the quota system irks the general category students who do not get in despite the hardwork. The solution is to have more seats, with quality control else quality will suffer. For eg. District hospitals should have a medical college and seat selling in private colleges should be curbed.
If there were enough seats for everything, students wouldn't have to worry about what they can get into and instead would have thought about what they want to get into.