The reservation system in Tamil Nadu is much in contrast to the rest of India, not by the nature of reservation but by its history. When the first reservation protest hit New Delhi in May 2006, a contrasting quiet serenity was noticed in Chennai. Later, as the anti-reservation lobby gained in visibility in Delhi, Chennai saw quiet street protests demanding reservation. Doctors in Chennai, including doctors association for social equality (DASE) were in the forefront expressing their support for reservation in institutions
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Present practice
At present, reservation works out to somewhat less than 69%, depending on how many non-reserved category students are admitted in the super-numerary seats. If 100 seats are available, first, two merit lists are drawn up without considering community (reserved or unreserved), one for 31 seats and a second for 50 seats, corresponding to 69% reservation and 50% reservation respectively. Any non-reserved category students placing in the 50 seat list and not in the 31 seat list are admitted under super-numerary quota (i.e.) seats are added to the 100 for these students. The 31 seat list is used as the non-reserved open admission list and 69 seats are filled up using the 69% reservation formula (30 seats obc, 20 seats mbc, 18 seats sc and 1 seat st). The effective reservation percentage depends on how many non-reserved category students figure in the 50 list and not in the 31 list. At one extreme, all 19 (added from 31 to make the 50 list) may be non-reserved category students, in which case the total reservation works out to about (50+19)/119 or about 58%. At the other extreme, none of the 19 added to the 31 list may be from the non-reserved category, in which case no super-numerary seats are created and reservation works out to be 69% as mandated by the state law.
Present Reservation Scheme Details
The below details are provided as per Gazette of Government of Tamil Nadu Web link http://www.tn.gov.in/acts-rules/law/act_10to12_131_07jun06.pdf (link stand removed)
Timeline
Sourced from a Rediff.com new article.
The Madras Census Report of 1871 had documented the fact that non brahminical Hindu and Muslim communities were eliminated from political prospects
Need to take special interest in socially backward Entities was suggested
Recommendation made to use “Education” as the criteria of backwardness.
The Report of the Indian Education Commission states that practically no attention is paid to the problems of education of general people
Financial support was provided in Madras to spread education
Madras government have provided special educational attention for 49 different castes
Chatrapati Sahu Maharaja had given 50% reservation in his states for non-Brahmins
Upon receiving commission report for backward classes, Mysore Government had announced reservations in education and jobs
Sahu Maharaja had increased the reservation percentage from 50% to 90% in his states
Caste was kept as primary factor in the recruitment process for Government jobs in Madras state. The allocation was made as follows: 2 out of 12 were allocated for Brahmins, 5 for non-brahminical Hindus, 2 for Muslims, 2 for Anglo-Indians and 1 for SC.
The following classifications were made in the commission established by the Mumbai state Government:
Depressed Classes Original and Hill Tribe Other Backward ClassSeparate election Camps were declared for backward classes. Gandhi’s till death hunger strike (Poona, Sept. 24, 1932). Finally the agreement between Leaders of Caste-Hindus and of Dalits was agreed upon and is well known as Poona Pact.
According to a memorandum submitted to the viceroy by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the First Law Minister, 8.33% of reservation in services in favor of the Scheduled Castes became effective.
Education Department have announced scholarship for Scheduled Castes
Reservation for Scheduled castes was increased from 8.33% to 12.33%
Reservation for Schedule Castes was expanded to 16.66%
India accepts the Constitution, which includes the principle of reservations for SC & ST and has Article 340 directing State to constitute Backward Classes Commission to recommend similar measures.
First amendment Act of the Indian Constitution)Article 340 of the Indian Constitution, 1950, granted reservation rights to OBC’s
November 27, 1951: Dr. Babsaheb Ambedkar resigns from the Central Cabinet of PM Nehru, citing deliberate delay in acting on Article 340 as one of the reasons.
16% Reservation for SC/ST and 25% Reservation for OBCs introduced. Total Reservation Stood at 41%
Sattanathan Commission recommended Introduction of "Creamy Layer" and altering Reservation percentage for Backward Classes to 16% and separate reservation of 17% to Most Backward Classes (MBCs).
DMK Government increased OBC reservation to 31% and Reservation for SC/ST has been increased to 18%. Total Reservation stood at 49%ADMK government excludes "Creamy Layer" from OBC reservation benefits. Income Limit for availing Reservation benefit has been fixed at Rs 9000 Per Annum. DMK and other Opposition parties protested the decision.
Creamy Layer scheme withdrawn and Reservation % for OBC has been increased to 50%. Total Reservation Stood at 68%Statewide Road Blockade Agitations were launched by Vanniar Sangam (Parent Body of Pattali Makkal Katchi) demanding 20% reservations in State Government and 2% Reservations in Central Government exclusively for Vanniyar Caste.
DMK Government Split OBC reservations as 2 Parts with 30% for OBC and 20% for MBC. Separate Reservation of 1% introduced for Scheduled Tribes. Total Reservation percentage stood at 69%.