Reservation policy in Tamil Nadu
The reservation system in Tamil Nadu is much in contrast to the rest of India, not by the nature of reservation but by its history. When the first reservation protest hit New Delhi in May 2006, a contrasting quiet serenity was noticed in Chennai. Later, as the anti-reservation lobby gained in visibility in Delhi, Chennai saw quiet street protests demanding reservation. Doctors in Chennai, including doctors association for social equality were in the forefront expressing their support for reservation in institutions.
Present practice
At present, reservation works out to somewhat less than 69%, depending on how many General category students are admitted in the super-numerary seats. If 100 seats are available, the top ranking 31 candidates are given admission first, followed by the remaining 69 seats being filled as per the reservation system. The General category students ranking between 32 and 50 are then admitted on supernumary seats added just for them. The 69 reserved seats are filled up using the 69% reservation formula. The effective reservation percentage depends on how many General category students are ranked between 32 and 50. At one extreme, all 19 may be General category students, in which case the total reservation works out to 69/ or about 58%. At the other extreme, none of the students ranking between 32 and 50 may be from General category, in which case no super-numerary seats are created and reservation works out to be 69% as mandated by the state law.Present Reservation Scheme Details
Below are the details of Reservation followed in Tamilnadu.| Main Category as per Government of Tamil Nadu | Sub Category as per Government of Tamil Nadu | Reservation Percentage for each Sub Category as per Government of Tamil Nadu | Reservation Percentage for each Main Category as per Government of Tamil Nadu | Category as per Government of India |
| Backward Class | Backward Class Non Muslims - General | 26.5% | 30% | Backward Class |
| Backward Class | BC Muslims | 3.5% | 30% | Backward Class |
| Most Backward Class | Most Backward Communities | 20% | Backward Class | |
| Most Backward Class | Denotified Community | 3% | 18% | Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes |
| Scheduled Tribes | 1% No Sub-Categories | 1% | Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes | |
| Total Reservation Percentage | 69% |
Timeline
Sourced from a Rediff.com new article.;1871:
The Madras Census Report of 1871 had documented the fact that non brahminical Hindu and Muslim communities were eliminated from political prospects
;1881:
Need to take special interest in socially backward Entities was suggested
;1882:
Recommendation made to use “Education” as the criteria of backwardness.
;1883:
The Report of the Indian Education Commission states that practically no attention is paid to the problems of education of general people
;1885:
Financial support was provided in Madras to spread education
;1893:
Madras government have provided special educational attention for 49 different castes
;26 July 1902:
Chatrapati Sahu Maharaja had given 50% reservation in his states for non-Brahmins
;1918:
Upon receiving commission report for backward classes, Mysore Government had announced reservations in education and jobs
;1920:
Sahu Maharaja had increased the reservation percentage from 50% to 90% in his states
;1927:
Caste was kept as primary factor in the recruitment process for Government jobs in Madras state. The allocation was made as follows: 2 out of 12 were allocated for Brahmins, 5 for non-brahminical Hindus, 2 for Muslims, 2 for Anglo-Indians and 1 for SC.
;1928:
The following classifications were made in the commission established by the Mumbai state Government:
;1931:
Separate election Camps were declared for backward classes.
Gandhi’s till death hunger strike. Finally the agreement between Leaders of Caste-Hindus and of Dalits was agreed upon and is well known as Poona Pact.
;1943:
According to a memorandum submitted to the viceroy by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the First Law Minister, 8.33% of reservation in services in favor of the Scheduled Castes became effective.
;1944:
Education Department have announced scholarship for Scheduled Castes
;1946:
Reservation for Scheduled castes was increased from 8.33% to 12.33%
;1946-48:
Reservation for Schedule Castes was expanded to 16.66%
;November 26, 1949:
India accepts the Constitution, which includes the principle of reservations for SC & ST and has Article 340 directing State to constitute Backward Classes Commission to recommend similar measures.
;1950:
First amendment Act of the Indian Constitution)Article 340 of the Indian Constitution, 1950, granted reservation rights to OBC’s
November 27, 1951:
Dr. Babsaheb Ambedkar resigns from the Central Cabinet of PM Nehru, citing deliberate delay in acting on Article 340 as one of the reasons.
;1951:
16% Reservation for SC/ST and 25% Reservation for OBCs introduced. Total Reservation Stood at 41%
;1971:
Sattanathan Commission recommended Introduction of "Creamy Layer" and altering Reservation percentage for Backward Classes to 16% and separate reservation of 17% to Most Backward Classes.
;1980:
ADMK government includes "Creamy Layer" for OBC reservation benefits. Income Limit for availing Reservation benefit has been fixed at Rs 9000 Per Annum. DMK and other Opposition parties protested the decision.
;1989:
Statewide Road Blockade Agitations were launched by Vanniar Sangam demanding 20% reservations in State Government and 2% Reservations in Central Government exclusively for Vanniyar Caste.
;1992:
;1994:
;2006:
;May 2006 -August 2006:
;September 2006 – 2007
;April 2008