Reservation Policy Review Still in Limbo as NC Govt Turns One

Delays, Dissent, and Demands for Transparency Shadow the Omar Abdullah Administration’s First Anniversary

By: Javid Amin | 16 October 2025

As the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC)–Congress alliance marks its first year in power, one of its most sensitive promises — the review of Jammu & Kashmir’s reservation policy — remains stuck in bureaucratic and political limbo.

The issue, which affects employment, education, and regional equity, has once again ignited protests, civil society criticism, and opposition fire, casting a shadow over the government’s claims of inclusive governance.

Understanding the Issue: The Roots of the Reservation Framework

Jammu & Kashmir’s reservation structure is governed by the J&K Reservation Act, 2004 and subsequent rules notified in 2005. The framework allocates quotas across social, regional, and educational categories, reflecting the region’s diverse demographic and developmental landscape.

Current Reservation Structure

(EWS quota was introduced after the abrogation of Article 370, in alignment with central policy.)

Originally designed to balance social justice with regional representation, the system has undergone multiple amendments — the most contentious of which were implemented during 2023–24 under the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, without comprehensive public consultation.

The 2023–24 Amendments: Trigger for Controversy

In late 2023, the UT administration led by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha introduced a series of reservation modifications, including:

• Redefining “Residents of Backward Areas (RBA)” as Residents of Areas adjoining Actual Line of Control (ALC) and International Border (IB).

• Merging certain backward and frontier blocks, reducing representation for some Jammu interior districts.

• Expanding EWS benefits across categories, raising concerns about overlap with existing quotas.

These changes sparked protests in Doda, Rajouri, and Kupwara, where communities alleged that their hard-earned RBA status was diluted without public hearing.

Civil society groups, especially in Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal, filed petitions in the J&K High Court, challenging what they termed “non-consultative policy engineering.”

What Has the NC Government Done Since Taking Office?

Upon assuming office in October 2024, Omar Abdullah’s administration promised to conduct a comprehensive, transparent review of the entire reservation framework — a commitment featured prominently in the NC’s 2024 election manifesto under the section “Justice and Equity for All Regions.”

Steps Taken So Far

1. Constitution of a Cabinet Sub-Committee
   Formed in February 2025, headed by Finance Minister Altaf Kaloo, the committee included ministers from Social Welfare, Education, and Tribal Affairs.

2. Extensive Consultations (March–June 2025)
   The committee reportedly conducted public hearings in 14 districts and received over 600 representations from student unions, NGOs, and local bodies.

3. Submission of Report (August 2025)
   The Sub-Committee submitted its report recommending:

   • Restoration of RBA classification for interior rural blocks.

   • Separate sub-quota for border residents to prevent overlap.

   • Periodic data-driven reviews every five years.

   • Inclusion of educational backwardness indicators over purely geographical ones.

4. Cabinet Approval (September 2025)
   The state cabinet approved the report unanimously and forwarded it to the Lieutenant Governor for assent, as required under the constitutional setup of J&K.

However, as of mid-October 2025, the file remains pending with the LG’s office, sparking frustration among stakeholders.

Why the Delay?

Officials within the General Administration Department (GAD) cite “legal vetting and harmonization with central norms” as reasons for the delay.

However, insiders say the political and administrative complexities run deeper:

• Legal overlap between state and central reservation laws post-Article 370 abrogation.

• Turf tension between the elected government and the LG Secretariat over final authority.

• Fear of backlash from either Jammu or Kashmir regions depending on the redistribution outcome.

A senior NC minister, speaking anonymously, admitted:

“It’s a tightrope. Any change benefits one region and upsets another. That’s why everyone is moving cautiously.”

Omar Abdullah’s Position

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a recent cabinet briefing, reiterated that the government remains committed to reforming the system fairly.

“We promised rationalization, not polarization. The report is complete, the process transparent, and now we await constitutional formalities. We want justice for all without disturbing inter-regional balance.”

However, critics argue that such statements only reflect bureaucratic inertia and political indecision.

Opposition Reactions: PDP and Apni Party Turn Up the Heat

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Apni Party have accused the NC government of “political cowardice and delay tactics.”

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said at a rally in Pulwama:

“This government talks of transparency but hides every report that matters to the youth. Reservation affects jobs, education, and social dignity — it’s not a file to be buried in Raj Bhavan.”

Similarly, Apni Party leader Altaf Bukhari demanded immediate public disclosure of the report and a special assembly session for debate.

“If the report is fair, let the people see it. If not, admit the confusion. The government owes clarity to every unemployed youth waiting for recruitment exams.”

Public Sentiment: From Curiosity to Frustration

Across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, public impatience is growing.

In Jammu:

• Communities in Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur — who benefited from the border resident quota — fear possible rollback.

• Youth groups are demanding clarity before new job notifications, arguing that recruitment exams under uncertain criteria may later face legal challenges.

“We’ve prepared for exams under one quota, but if the policy changes mid-way, our futures collapse,” said Pooja Sharma, a job aspirant from Kathua.

In Kashmir:

• Students from Kupwara, Gurez, and Kulgam — previously categorized under RBA — want restoration of their earlier benefits.

• Protests in Bandipora and Budgam called for “merit protection and fair share for mountain districts.”

“We want equity, not endless evaluation,” said Shah Faisal Dar, president of a local youth forum.

Experts’ View: Balancing Geography, Demography, and Equity

Dr. Asiya Qadri, sociologist and policy expert at the University of Kashmir, notes:

“The reservation matrix in J&K has always been complex — a blend of geography, social identity, and political equity. Any reform must be evidence-based, not regionally reactive.”

Dr. Shakti Gupta, education policy researcher in Jammu, adds:

“The biggest gap is transparency. Without publishing district-wise backwardness data, every change looks political.”

Both agree that periodic socio-economic surveys — last conducted comprehensively in 2007 — are crucial before any major policy shift.

Legal and Constitutional Hurdles

Post-2019, the constitutional setup of J&K as a Union Territory with a legislature complicates the reservation review process.

• Under Article 239A, any policy change passed by the elected government requires LG assent before notification.

• The Central Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) retains supervisory authority over constitutional validity.

Therefore, even with state cabinet approval, implementation cannot proceed until concurrence is received from the LG’s office — or, if referred further, from MHA’s legal division.

Political Implications: A Test of Credibility

The reservation issue has now become a litmus test for the NC–Congress alliance’s credibility.

Analysts say the delay undermines the government’s reformist image and strengthens the BJP’s argument of “a regime stuck in symbolism.”

Dr. Hilal Naqash, political analyst, observes:

“After the Darbar Move revival and stalled job drives, the reservation delay reinforces the perception of slow delivery. In a region where reservation means access to survival, delay equals denial.”

For Omar Abdullah, resolving the issue could restore administrative confidence; mishandling it could alienate both Jammu’s border districts and Kashmir’s mountain communities.

Civil Society Pressure and Future Demands

Several youth and rights organizations — including the Jammu Students Federation, Kashmir Policy Collective, and Chenab Valley Civil Forum — have urged the government to:

1. Table the full report in the Legislative Assembly.

2. Publish data used for defining “backwardness.”

3. Constitute an independent Reservation Review Commission every five years.

4. Ensure parity between educational and job reservations.

5. Introduce digital transparency tools — online application tracking, quota certificates, and audit dashboards.

“Reservation is not charity; it’s justice in numbers. We want clarity, not complacency,” said Shazia Lone, activist from Doda.

Where It Stands Now

As of mid-October 2025:

• Report status: Approved by the cabinet, awaiting LG assent.

• Implementation timeline: Unclear.

• Public access to report: Restricted.

• Protests: Reported in five districts across both regions.

Insiders hint that the LG’s office has sought clarifications on three recommendations, delaying final signature.

Unless the matter is resolved soon, the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and Service Selection Board (JKSSB) may delay upcoming recruitment notifications, fearing future litigation.

Bottom-Line: A Policy Caught Between Politics and Process

One year into power, the Omar Abdullah government finds itself walking a tightrope between expectation and execution.

While it has fulfilled its pledge to review the reservation framework, its failure to deliver final clarity leaves a vacuum filled with frustration and protest.

The reservation policy debate embodies a larger truth about governance in post-reorganization J&K — that symbolic restoration must be matched by structural reform.

Until the file clears Raj Bhavan, the promise of “justice and equity for all” remains, quite literally, stuck in the corridors of power.