DoPT says data on de-reservation proposals not readily available

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has stated that it does not have readily accessible data on the number of de-reservation proposals forwarded by Union ministries and departments over the past six years. De-reservation refers to the process of filling a post earmarked for reserved categories with a general category candidate.

The response comes amid growing friction with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), which has flagged that such proposals are frequently incomplete and fail to document the efforts made to fill reserved vacancies. The commission has consequently decided to scrutinise these proposals to ensure the reservation policy is implemented effectively.

In a reply to a Right to Information query, the DoPT invoked Section 7(9) of the RTI Act, arguing that compiling the requested information would "disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority." It added that the data is likely scattered across multiple departments and ministries, and that the law does not oblige information officers to "create or interpret" information.

Under the DoPT's own recruitment rules, a general ban exists on de-reserving posts, with only specific exceptions. Any proposal to de-reserve a direct recruitment post must be routed through the DoPT, with the final decision resting with the Union Minister in charge of the department. For promotion vacancies, the respective ministry holds the final authority.

The NCSC, led by Kishore Makwana, has been in a prolonged tussle with the Centre over this issue for two years. Minutes of the commission's meetings show that de-reservation has been a prominent agenda item in four of the five Full Commission meetings held since 2024. In June, the commission decided to undertake a comprehensive review of all de-reservation proposals from the Centre to address the recurring concerns.