New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has decided to undertake a comprehensive review of proposals from the Union government to de-reserve government posts over the past three years, reports the Hindu. The decision follows concerns over inadequate implementation of reservation rules for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates in government jobs.The commission is headed by Gujarat BJP leader and author Kishor Makwana since March 2024, and this issue has been previously raised by the NCSC under his charge. His tenure ends in 2027. Makwana, who was previously Gujarat BJP spokesperson, has written over 33 books, including Common Man Narendra Modi and volumes on Swami Vivekananda and B.R. Ambedkar.De-reservation of posts refers to the government filling posts earmarked for a reserved category candidates with an unreserved candidate. Under the existing rules, this practice is prohibited. However, there are limited exceptions that apply in exceptional circumstances.The NCSC’s decision to review the situation is not new. In November 2024, the Times of India reported that it had directed the Union ministry of health and family welfare to constitute a committee to investigate alleged irregularities at PGI Chandigarh in making its de-reservation and reservation roster. It had flagged an alleged shortfall of 34 SC-reserved assistant professor posts and questioned the premier health institute’s method of preparing its reservation roster.The disagreement between the Union government over de-reservation proposals particularly involves promotion vacancies. The NCSC has repeatedly raised concerns that proposals submitted by government departments are incomplete and do not adequately demonstrate alternative efforts to fill reserved vacancies.At a meeting of the commission held on June 4, the Hindu reports, the NCSC decided to examine proposals sent by the Union government over the last three years, to identify issues in implementation of the reservation policy.The NCSC has also pushed the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to revise the procedures for de-reservation. It has sought one month, instead of two weeks, to submit its objections to fill reserved vacancies with unreserved candidates.Under the existing framework, de-reservation of a direct recruitment vacancy is permitted only in specific circumstances, including where leaving a Group A post vacant is considered to be against the public interest. Such proposals are required to be examined by the relevant national commission (not just the NCSC but the commissions for backward classes and scheduled tribes, as relevant) before a Committee of Secretaries and other authorities consider its validity.The issue of alleged illegal de-reservation has featured prominently in four of the five full commission meetings held by the NCSC since 2024, the Hindu reports, based on minutes of the meetings reviewed by the publication. Proposals concerning posts in Public Sector Undertakings and ministries and departments of the Union government have come before the commission repeatedly. According to the record, the NCSC did not approve these proposals, citing shortcomings in the submissions.The NCSC has also called for departments seeking de-reservation to provide evidence of alternative measures to fill reserved vacancies. These could include deputation or short-term contracts involving eligible SC candidates. At present, departments are advised to explore such alternatives, but are not required to demonstrate that they have done so.As per an office memorandum issued on March 28, 2024 by the Union government (DoPT), while de-reservation of posts needs to be approved by the relevant national commission and an official record of the de-reservation must be maintained. In the case of ad-hoc appointments, both the permission and the record-keeping are not required.“There is no need for maintaining any separate formal register or roster register for ad-hoc promotions. The concept of de-reservation, carrying forward of reservation etc. will also not be applicable in the case of ad-hoc appointments. However, a simple register called Ad-hoc Promotions Register may be maintained for different categories of posts for which ad-hoc appointments are made to facilitate a record being kept of the ad-hoc appointments and for ensuring reversion in the proper order on regular promotions being made to the posts in question,” the memorandum clarifies.Reserved posts being de-reserved also drew controversy in 2024 when the University Grants Commission said such posts could be filled with general candidates if a suitable candidate from the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe or an OBC candidate were not found. Then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had clarified at the time that seats meant for reserved candidates would not be taken away in central educational institutions.