Subject: Indian Society

Despite India's constitutional commitment to social justice through Article 46 and various affirmative action policies, the underprivileged sections continue to face systemic challenges in accessing these benefits, highlighting the gap between policy intent and implementation.

Comprehensive Policies for Equity and Social Justice

• Constitutional Provisions:

  • Article 15(4) and 16(4): Enable reservations for socially and educationally backward classes in education and public employment.
  • Article 46: Directs the State to promote educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections.

• Affirmative Action:

  • Reservations for SCs, STs, OBCs, and more recently EWS (Economically Weaker Sections).

• Targeted Legislation:

  • Prevention of Atrocities Act for SC/STs.
  • Rights-based acts like the Right to Education (RTE).

• Welfare Schemes:

  • National scholarships, MGNREGA, housing and healthcare schemes.

• Institutional Support:

  • National Commissions for SCs, STs, OBCs, Women, and Minorities.

Reasons for Incomplete Realization of Benefits

• Implementation Gaps & Administrative Challenges:

  • Inefficiencies, bureaucratic red tape, and corruption undermine delivery of schemes at grassroots.
  • Last-mile service delivery remains weak, especially in remote and tribal areas.

• Creamy Layer Effect & Elite Capture: Within reserved categories, relatively better-off individuals benefit disproportionately, excluding the most marginalized.

• Social Barriers: Caste-based discrimination, social stigma, and exclusion persist, limiting access to real opportunities despite formal entitlements.

• Lack of Awareness: Many beneficiaries remain unaware of rights and entitlements, preventing them from availing themselves of schemes.

• Intersectionality Neglect: Policies often do not address overlapping vulnerabilities (e.g., gender, disability, minority status within marginalized groups).

• Data Deficiency: Absence of regular socio-economic and caste-based data leads to poorly targeted interventions.

• Limited Private Sector Involvement: Most affirmative action policies are confined to the public sector; the private sector, where employment is growing, remains largely unregulated.

Way Forward

• Intersectional and Targeted Approaches: Design policies recognizing multiple, compounding marginalities for more inclusive coverage.

• Strengthening Implementation: Improve monitoring and accountability mechanisms; empower local governance for better reach.

• Data-Driven Policies: Regular caste and socio-economic surveys for better targeting and resource allocation.

• Extending Affirmative Action: Incentivize or mandate private sector participation in social justice measures.

• Awareness and Empowerment: Grassroots legal literacy campaigns; involve NGOs and community organizations.

• Outcome-Based Monitoring: Shift emphasis to measurable improvements in actual socio-economic status, beyond just reservation numbers.

The path to social justice requires not just comprehensive policies but effective implementation mechanisms. Recent initiatives like the PM-JANMAN for PVTGs and Stand-Up India scheme demonstrate renewed commitment, but sustained efforts are needed to bridge the implementation gap and ensure constitutional promises translate into tangible benefits for underprivileged sections.