As serve as a social justice measure, the concept of Indian reservation system was introduced to provide justice to the historical injustices affected the SCs, STs and OBCs. The concept was to empower such communities lac k of formal education, employment, and political voice, in some countries for centuries, and give them a chance to level up socio-economic differences.

As much as everyone appreciated the idea in the beginning, in the later decades critics like me have realized that actually this reservation policy does not help the needy ones only in the castes. More often than not, even such non-aboriginal individuals who are considered economically deprived are locked out of these privileges. This raises a valid question: should reservation be initialized to hue out the disparity in financial terms rather than caste only? Historical Context: 1. Colonial Era and Inequity:
The caste system made unfair practicing in Indian society so severe that it totally deprived the rights and opportunities from lower castes.

2. Post-Independence Vision:
Reservation was adopted as a measure that was to be a temporary solution to a longstanding problem of discrimination of the indigenous people for several centuries.

Why Use the Concept of Economic Criteria?

1. Modern Realities:
Some of the members of the reserved categories have achievement of economic as well as social class. On the other hand, economically poor members from the so-called upper castes are barred.

2. Promoting Equality:
Reservation on grounds of economic consideration will ensure that the benefits accruing out of reservation will reach the needy, regardless of the caste system prevalent.

3. Encouraging Social Cohesion:
It is also evidenced that financial criteria often result in decreased tension and sense of injustice because of caste-based reservation.

Balancing the Approach:
The government must go for an integrated policy where the policy of affirming caste is vital based on historical injustice and in turn, the financial criterion as the basis to feed the economically delayed sections in every caste. While it will afford equity, the purpose of social upliftment will be achieved.