Abstract

The reservation policy in India is one of the most debated socio-political mechanisms designed to achieve social justice equality and representation. Originating as a corrective measure to dismantle centuries of caste-based exclusion it has evolved into a complex system that intersects with politics economics and constitutional morality. This research paper provides a critical evaluation of the historical evolution constitutional basis and contemporary dynamics of India’s reservation policy. It analyses the interplay between caste class and political mobilization and explores the challenges of balancing meritocracy with equity. Drawing upon landmark legal judgments constitutional amendments and socio-political developments—from the Mandal Commission to the Economic Weaker Section (EWS) reservation and the Women’s Reservation Bill—the paper examines how reservation has shaped modern India’s democracy governance and identity politics. The study concludes that while reservation remains a