Category Reservation in Sarkari Jobs — Meaning, Definition & Examples (Sarkari Exam 2026)
Category: Reservation
Short definition: Constitutionally-mandated allocation of vacancies to specific social categories — SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC-NCL (27%), EWS (10%), PwBD (4%), and Ex-Servicemen (10% on direct recruitments) — totalling up to 73.5% reservation.
What is Category Reservation in Sarkari Jobs? (Detailed Explanation)
Category reservation in Central Government jobs is governed by the Constitution (Articles 16(4), 16(4A), 16(4B), 16(5)) and the Indian Reservation Policy. The current reservation matrix: SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC-NCL 27%, EWS 10% — totalling 59.5% vertical reservation. Horizontal reservation: PwBD 4%, Ex-Servicemen 10% on direct recruitment, Women in some posts (varies by state).
Vertical reservation is exclusive — candidates from one vertical category cannot claim another's quota. Horizontal reservation cuts across verticals — a SC PwBD candidate gets 1 PwBD quota seat from within the SC vertical pool. Reservation is post-wise and grade-wise — a department cannot use its UR vacancies of one grade to fill SC vacancies of another grade.
Carry-forward: unfilled SC/ST/OBC vacancies are carried forward for 3 years. After that, they are de-reserved (converted to General). EWS has no carry-forward — unfilled EWS vacancies become Unreserved in the same year. Roster system tracks the cumulative balance of vacancies across years to ensure category quotas are met over time.
Live examples from Sarkari Exam notifications
- SSC CGL — every notification breakdown by SC/ST/OBC/EWS
- UPSC CSE — reservation across All India Services
- IBPS PO — bank-wise category-wise vacancy
Frequently Asked Questions about Category Reservation in Sarkari Jobs
Q1. Can a General candidate be selected at SC merit cut-off?
No. Vertical reservation seats are filled only by qualifying candidates of that category. If SC merit cut-off is below General, no General candidate gets an SC seat — they remain on the General waiting list.
Q2. Is the 50% reservation cap absolute?
The Supreme Court's 50% cap (Indra Sawhney) applies to SC+ST+OBC vertical reservation. EWS (10%) was held constitutional in 2022, taking total to 59.5%. PwBD (4%) and Ex-SM (10%) are horizontal, sitting within the 100% framework.
Q3. Does reservation apply to promotions?
Yes — to SC/ST in Central Government promotions per the 1995 amendment (Article 16(4A)). OBC promotions reservation has been challenged and is contested. EWS does NOT get reservation in promotions.
Related Sarkari terms you should know
- EWS Certificate (Economically Weaker Section) — A government-issued certificate proving that a candidate from the General category belongs to a hous…
- OBC Creamy Layer — The portion of the OBC (Other Backward Classes) population whose family income exceeds the prescribe…
Where to learn more
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