The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the prerequisites for admissions of EWS students in Central Educational Institutes(CEIs). According to a leading daily, HRD ministry had sought permission of election commission before sending the proposal to the cabinet because Model Code of Conduct has been enforced ahead of Lok Sabha elections. “With the approval of the Cabinet, a total of 2,14,766 additional seats will be created. While 1,19,983 additional seats will be created during 2019-20 academic session, 95,783 seats will be added in 2020-21,”, an official said.

A budget of Rs.4315 crores has been approved to implement EWS quota in 158 CEIs. Earlier, the Rajya Sabha had approved the bill related to this on January 9 amending the constitution to provide 10 percent reservation to economically weak students in general category. This quota will be above current 50 per cent reservation provided to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes(OBCs).    

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) will provide 10 per cent reservation for EWS category according to 103^rd Constitutional Amendment without affecting the proportionate reservations for SC/ST and SEBC. In January, HRD ministry had issued directives to all Central Educational Institutes and had asked them to increase the number of EWS students in all disciplines.