Srinagar: The High Court has directed the government and stakeholders to respond to a plea challenging amendments to the JK Reservation Rules before the first week of March.
The amendments, which reduced open merit quotas in recruitment and educational seats from 57% to 33% and RBA quotas from 20% to 10%, while increasing reservations for ST (10% to 20%), Social Caste (2% to 8%), ALC (3% to 4%), and PHC (3% to 4%), have been contested. The plea also challenges the addition of new categories such as 3% for children of defence personnel, 2% for sports achievers, and 1% for children of police personnel.
Petitioners argue the amendments violate the constitution and the J&K Reservation Act, 2004, which caps total reservations at 50%. They contend that rules framed under the Act must align with its provisions. They seek to nullify specific rules and demand rationality to preserve a 50% ceiling for open merit and general category candidates.
