Article 15(6) Is Only Enabling Provision: Kerala HC Dismisses PIL Seeking 10% EWS Quota in Higher Secondary Admissions

Article 15(6) is only an enabling provision, observed the High Court of Kerala while dismissing a PIL that sought direction to the state to earmark 10% quota for economically weaker section students, who apply for Higher Secondary course, for the year 2020- 21. However, the Kerala Government has reportedly issued an order reserving 10% of the total seats in various batches in government higher secondary and vocational higher secondary schools for students from the EWS in the unreserved category. While considering the Public Interest Litigation filed by Samastha Nair Samajam, the bench comprising Chief Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Shaji P. Chaly noted that the clause (6) of Article 15 is only a provision, enabling the State Government for making any special provision for the advancement of any economically weaker section other than mentioned in clauses (4) and (5).