More on reservations...

while at this, i postulate that increased reservations would certainly improve the potential rewards of general category students who do make it to institutes like IITs, IIMs etc. ofcourse, the ceteris paribus assumption applies here. specifically i had in mind that fact that the non-creamy layer students entering via the reservation quota at very low entrance cut-offs/percentage are unable to successfully compete in the institutions. according to former iit thadakpur director, it takes around 7-8 years to complete the normal 4 yr course even after relaxed procedures are adopted. ofcourse, this would also apply to general category students who get a 'back-door entry'.

also, while official reservations will be at 49.5%, we must remember that there are other quotas - sports, teachers and karmachari quota, foreign quota, handicapped/disabled quota, and others. while conversing with a friend of mine, we came to the conclusion that effective non reserved seats would be, realistically, at around 40% (ie. over 60% reservation).

clearly, our education system's is moving in an adverse direction, the effects of which (as those acquainted with economic growth/development theories would know) will be felt for decades to come.

i would like to add here that i strongly believe that measures must be taken to ensure a more equitable socio-economic system, but skewing the existing system by creation of further distortions and introducing potentially lower returns is certainly not the correct path to egalitarianism.