Half of IIM, IIT seats may be reserved

Govt may consider raising intake of students from backward classes in the wake of Constitution Amendment.

Government may contemplate increasing the intake of students in IITs and IIMs in order to provide reservations for students belonging to backward categories in the wake of recent Constitution amendment.

Reservation in IITs and IIMs is likely to increase from the current level of 22.5 per cent to a maximum of 49.5 per cent.

This may be necessary as the Centre has already directed state governments to increase reservations for backward categories in the state level institutions.

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HRD Minister Arjun Singh has already written to states to frame laws in the light of the 104th Constitution Amendment, passed in the winter session of Parliament, which gives states the right to take steps that would ensure advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, SCs and STs in private educational institutions as well.

Ministry sources said increased reservation for backward categories in these premier central institutions is possible only with increased intakes.

While the Centre has requested the states to formulate enabling laws at the earliest providing reservation, there was no effort taken so far by the Centre to increase reservations in educational institutes coming under its umbrella.