Srinagar, Dec 4 (NationPress) J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Thursday that the document concerning the rationalization of the reservation policy, as advised by the cabinet, has been dispatched for consent to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.

While speaking to reporters, Omar Abdullah expressed, "We anticipate his approval, leading to the issuance of the order shortly thereafter."

The rationalized reservation policy was sanctioned by the cabinet on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the J&K cabinet ratified the new reservation guidelines for Jammu and Kashmir, based on the suggestions of the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC), and forwarded it to L-G Sinha for endorsement.

Sources indicate that the updated policy recommends a reduction of the EWS quota by 7 percent and the RBA (Residents of Backward Areas) quota by 3 percent, lowering them to three and seven percent, respectively.

“The proportion of open merit jobs and seats may increase to 40 percent and 50 percent in vertical reservation, up from the current 30 percent, as the Cabinet has sanctioned reductions in the RBA and EWS categories.

“The exclusion of Ladakh, which was previously part of Jammu and Kashmir, has been cited as a rationale for diminishing the RBA quota. Should the cabinet’s proposal receive approval from the LG, the EWS quota will drop to 3 percent and the RBA to 7 percent,” a source stated.

The reservation percentages, including EWS, previously soared to 70 percent in J&K, leaving only 30 percent of jobs and seats available for open merit candidates, which sparked considerable discontent among them. “The revised reservation policy stipulates that open merit jobs and seats will constitute a minimum of 40 percent in the direct open merit quota and 50 percent in the vertical reservation quota,” the source added.

At one point, the RBA quota stood at 20 percent in J&K, later reduced to 10 percent.

There were claims that politicians and local officials manipulated the inclusion of their villages in the RBA category to benefit their relatives.

Currently, the ST-I, ST-II, RBA, and EWS categories each maintain a 10 percent reservation, while the Scheduled Castes and OBCs enjoy an 8 percent quota, and the ALC/IB category has a 4 percent reservation.

Moreover, there exists a 10 percent horizontal reservation, which includes 6 percent for ex-servicemen and 4 percent for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

On December 10, 2024, the Cabinet established the sub-committee, which delivered its report precisely six months later, on June 10, 2025. Following this, the Cabinet sought counsel from the Law Department and finalized the report accordingly.