But the move has sparked controversy with education activists saying it would leave very few seats for the disadvantaged sections. They have argued that the 25 per cent quota should be offered separately.
Lawyer and social activist Ashok Agrawal dubbed the guidelines “illegal”. “There should not be any further sub-quota within the quota for economically weaker and disadvantaged groups. This is legally not permissible.”
The guidelines have been issued by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), the organisation that runs the chain of nearly 1,100 central government schools in the country. The norms are part of its fresh admission policy framed in keeping with the provisions of the education act, which came into effect from last April.
The KVS now reserves 15 per cent of its seats for children of Scheduled Castes and 7.5 per cent for those of Scheduled Tribes.
According to the new guidelines, the 22.5 per cent quota for SCs and STs will be merged within the 25 per cent reservation to be provided under the right to education act.
This means each Kendriya Vidyalaya will have at least a 25 per cent quota. This will include 15 per cent for SCs, 7.5 per cent for STs and the remaining 2.5 per cent for children with disabilities and those belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups.