The Hindu Editorial (Questionable criterion) – Nov 29, 2021

The questions raised by the Supreme Court of India about the criteria for identifying the ‘Economically Weaker Sections’ (EWS) for the purpose of granting reservation are quite apposite. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-2 for The Hindu Editorial (Questionable criterion) – Nov 29, 2021.

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The Hindu Editorial (Questionable criterion) – Nov 29, 2021:

criterion (noun) – basis, standard, norm, specification (criteria is the plural form of criterion).
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) (noun) – Economically Weaker Section (EWS) or Economically Backward Classes (EBC) in India is a subcategory of people belonging to the General Category having an annual family income less than ₹8 lakh and who do not belong to any category such as SC/ST/OBC across India, nor to MBC in Tamil Nadu.
ask for (phrasal verb) – request, demand, call for.
basis (noun) – reason, grounds, justification, rationalization, motive.
reservation (noun) – a system of affirmative action in India that provides historically disadvantaged groups representation in education, employment, and politics.
apposite (adjective) – appropriate, suitable, apt, befitting.
obtain (verb) – be given.
norm (noun) – standard, convention, rule, rules of conduct.
avail (verb) – use, utilize, take advantage of (an opportunity/resources).
earmark (verb) – set aside, set apart, reserve, designate (for a particular purpose).
quantifiable (adjective) – measurable (as quantity).
quantifiable data (noun) – the type of data whose value is measured in the form of numbers or counts, with a unique numerical value associated with each data set. Also known as numerical data, quantitative data further describes numeric variables (e.g. How many? How often? How much?) This data type can also be defined as a group of quantifiable information that can be used for mathematical computations and statistical analysis which informs real-life decisions.
as well as (phrase) – and also, and in addition.
backdrop (noun) – situation, scenario, context.
logical (adjective) – understandable, reasonable, sensible.
prescribe (verb) – stipulate, lay down, specify, impose, set down, determine, pronounce.
beneficiary (noun) – recipient, receiver.
indicator (noun) – measure, index; standard, guideline, criterion.
bench (noun) – a court of law with a number of judges.
necessarily (adverb) – inevitably, certainly, surely.
circumscribe (verb) – restrict, limit; regulate.
103rd Constitution Amendment Act, 2019 (noun) – it introduces 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of society for admission to Central Government-run educational institutions and private educational institutions (except for minority educational institutions), and for employment in Central Government jobs.
Constitution Bench (noun) – a bench of the Supreme Court having five or more judges on it. These benches are not a routine phenomenon. Constitution Benches are exceptions, set up only if some circumstances exist).
proceedings (noun) – legal action, legal proceedings, judicial proceedings, litigation.
All-India Quota (AIQ) (noun) – The All India Quota (AIQ) Scheme was introduced in 1986 under the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court to provide for domicile-free merit based opportunities to students from any State to aspire to study in a good medical college located in another State. All India Quota consists of 15% of total available UG seats and 50% of total available PG seats in government medical colleges. Initially, there was no reservation in AIQ Scheme up to 2007. In 2007, the Hon’ble Supreme Court introduced reservation of 15% for SCs and 7.5% for STs in the AIQ Scheme.
constitutional (adjective) – legal, lawful, legitimate.
comply with (verb) – abide by, adhere to, conform to, follow.
anomalous (adjective) – abnormal, irregular, peculiar, exceptional, unusual.
fall (under) (verb) – come under.
creamy layer (noun) – income ceiling for Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation under which children of persons having a gross annual income of Rs 8 lakh or above for a period of three consecutive years would fall under the creamy layer category and would not be entitled to the benefit of reservation available to Other Backward Classes (OBC).
ceiling (noun) – upper limit, maximum, highest permissible level.
moot (adjective) – debatable, doubtful, arguable, disputable, problematic.
impediment (noun) – obstacle, barrier, obstruction, hindrance.
backwardness (noun) – the condition/state of not developed.
equate with (verb) – regard as the same as.
in line with (phrase) – in alignment with, in accordance with, conforming to.
prevailing (adjective) – existing; current, present.
pool (noun) – group.
surrender (noun) – handing over, giving up, transfer.
absence (noun) – non-existence, lack, unavailability.
anomaly (noun) – something different, abnormal, unusual; oddity, peculiarity, deviation, aberration, exception.
alleviation (noun) – mitigation, moderation, reduction, decrease, eradication.
measure (noun) – action, step, procedure.
well-off (adjective) – wealthy, rich, affluent.
belong to (verb) – be associated with, be connected to, be linked to.
pie (noun) – a whole thing that can be shared.