Jammu and Kashmir Approves New Reservation Policy: 50% Jobs Reserved for General Category

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has endorsed a revised reservation policy that enhances representation for the general category, according to reliable sources. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's cabinet has forwarded this significant decision to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, seeking his approval before official implementation.

Sources indicate the reformed reservation framework will allocate 50 percent of government positions to open merit or general category candidates in Jammu and Kashmir. Complete details regarding this policy revision will only emerge following the Lieutenant Governor's endorsement of the cabinet's decision.

Under the current reservation system implemented during direct Central governance, the general category—representing approximately 70 percent of Jammu and Kashmir's population—receives less than 40 percent of government employment opportunities.

Following the establishment of an elected government, substantial discontent has emerged regarding the disproportionate quota allocation for reserved categories within the Union Territory. Today's policy revision follows a comprehensive year-long evaluation by a cabinet sub-committee tasked with rationalizing reservation distributions.

In statements to the press after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized that his administration has restructured the reservation policy optimally to ensure equitable treatment for all population segments.

Abdullah confirmed this fulfilled a commitment made to constituents and noted that the proposal has been transmitted to the Lieutenant Governor for final authorization.

Since Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and special status under Article 370 were revoked in 2019, numerous regulatory modifications have occurred, including significant changes to job reservation policies.

For instance, in March of the previous year, the Central government granted Scheduled Tribe classification to Pahari-speaking communities and groups including Paddari, Koli, and Gadda Brahmins in the region.

Previously, only Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes held Scheduled Tribe designation with a 10 percent reservation in employment. Following the inclusion of Pahari communities, the reservation quota for the ST category has expanded to 20 percent.

With additional reserved categories including Scheduled Castes, OBCs, EWS, Line of Control, and Resident Backward Areas, the total reservation now exceeds 60 percent. This has generated feelings of discrimination among General Category residents—a situation unlike other parts of the country.