Seeking quota in private higher education institutions, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh marked the anniversary of a law from 2006 that allowed 27% OBC reservation in centrally-funded colleges. Ramesh emphasized the importance of social justice and urged the Modi Government to fully implement Article 15(5) on this significant occasion. He advocated for extending reservations to SC, ST, and OBC students in private higher education institutions as well, in line with the provisions of the law.
Ramesh highlighted Article 15(5) of the Indian Constitution, which permits reservations for SC, ST, and OBC students in educational institutions, including private unaided ones, except minority institutions. He also mentioned a bill introduced in 2025 for setting up a single regulator for higher education, emphasizing the need for overseeing the implementation of Article 15(5) by such a regulatory body. The amendment that introduced 27% reservation for OBC students in centrally-funded higher education institutions was hailed as a historic moment by Ramesh, bringing social and economic mobility to thousands of students.
The former Union Minister pointed out that while the Supreme Court upheld the validity of Article 15(5) in 2014, there is currently no legislation enforcing it. He referred to a report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education in 2025, which recommended the enactment of a law mandating reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities in private higher educational institutions due to their low representation.
