EWS aspirants can’t claim job relaxations granted to SC, ST, OBC applicants, says Delhi HC, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Delhi High Court ruled that EWS aspirants cannot claim the same relaxations as SC, ST, OBC candidates for Central government jobs.
• The court stated that the disadvantages faced by socially backward classes and economically deprived classes are different.
• Age relaxation and number of attempts are ancillary considerations where EWS cannot claim parity with SC, ST, and OBC.

Detailed Insights:

• The court emphasized that SC, ST, and OBC categories face disadvantages rooted in social and educational backwardness, stemming from historical discrimination and ostracism based on caste.
• EWS status is solely based on economic deprivation, arising from a lack of financial resources, without the element of social stigma or historical exclusion.
• The court highlighted that caste is fixed by birth and unchangeable, unlike economic status, and individuals born into disadvantaged castes face lifelong consequences.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Economically Weaker Section (EWS): A category for individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Scheduled Castes (SC): Officially designated groups facing historical social discrimination.
• Scheduled Tribes (ST): Officially recognized tribal communities facing specific disadvantages.
• Other Backward Classes (OBC): A group of castes recognized as socially and educationally backward.

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