Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced that his government would start the implementation of 10 per cent reservation for non-reserved category communities from January 14. Gujarat would become the first state in India to implement quota for economically backward classes.

The reservations are for candidates from economically weaker sections of the population from the general category in jobs and education. Its implementation would come into force for admissions or government recruitment process that is yet to begin.

"The 10 per cent quota to EBC candidates would be available in admission and government jobs' recruitment. It would also come into force in cases where announcement of admission or recruitment has been made but the process hasn't started. In case the announcement was made without the implementation of the quota, it would be suspended for the time being and will resume following implementation of the EBC quota," the chief minister informed through a press communique.

He clarified that if the process for recruitment or admission, including written or oral tests, computer proficiency tests, preliminary or eligibility tests had started, the 10 per cent EBC quota would not be applied, but the process would complete as per norms notified with the advertisement.

"Educational institutions or government offices shall publish a fresh advertisement and invite candidates for application along with the implementation of 10 per cent quota for EBCs," he added.

"The implementation of the 10 per cent quota for EBCs is taking place after the historic and revolutionary decision by the Narendra Modi-led central government. The 10 per cent quota for EBCs would be above the 49 per cent reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes as per the constitutional provision," the communique said.

The Gujarat government, on April 29, 2016, had issued an ordinance for 10 per cent EBC in the state. But this was challenged in the Gujarat High Court, which had set aside the same. The government later challenged the order in the Supreme Court, but the latter put a stay on the implementation of the ordinance until the final order. The Gujarat government then put the ordinance in abeyance.

The state government also announced a special commission and corporation for candidates from non-reserved category community. The government provides financial assistance by means of fees, stationery, lodging and boarding in education, including foreign institutes, subsidy in interest against education loans and start-ups. These facilities are available under schemes run and implemented by the Gujarat government's 'Bin Anamat Shaikshanik ane Arthik Vikas Nigam'. Recently, the state government increased the eligibility criteria for candidates to avail benefits of these schemes, from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh annual income.

Around 25 per cent of the state's population belongs to this chunk of the non-reserved category.