The Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act introduced 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in education and government jobs without affecting existing SC, ST and OBC quotas.

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• The Central Government introduced the 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill in 2019 to provide 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in India.
• The amendment added special provisions under Articles 15 and 16 for reservation in educational institutions and direct government recruitment opportunities.
• The EWS quota applies only to economically weaker candidates belonging to the general category and excludes SC, ST and OBC communities.
• The reservation in educational institutions also covers private unaided institutions except minority educational institutions protected under Article 30 of the Constitution.
• After implementation of the EWS quota, India’s total reservation percentage increased beyond the earlier 49.5% reservation ceiling discussed by courts.
• Parliament passed the bill with a special majority in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha before receiving presidential assent in January 2019.
• The legislation officially became the Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act after approval by then President Ram Nath Kovind on 12 January 2019.
• Supporters called the amendment a step toward economic justice, while critics questioned its impact on merit and constitutional reservation principles.