Affirmative Action in India = Sri is a white male

Whereas the US govt is often squeamish when it comes to being explicit about affirmative action, the Indian one is at the other end of the spectrum with strict minimum quotas for various groups. Below is a description from the website of AP Housing Board (AP = Andhra Pradesh, a major state in India) on what the minimum quotas/reservations are for various groups in their ability to purchase Govt. housing:

Houses offered on Hire Purchase and Outright sale :

Category	MLA/MP	SC	ST	BC	GS	PH	FF	DP	Total
HIG	3%	16%	6%	9%	10%	1%	1%	3%	49%
MIG	3%	16%	6%	9%	10%	1%	1%	3%	49%
LIG	-	16%	6%	11%	10%	2%	2%	2%	49%

SCs = Scheduled Castes; STs = Scheduled Tribes; BCs = Backward Classes; GS = Government Servants; PH = Physically Handicapped; FF = Freedom Fighters; DP = Defense Personnel.

In all the above allotments 30% shall be reserved for Women.


Interestingly enough, AP govt considers Muslims and Christians as BCs (Backward classes). Believe it or not, it turns out, I do not belong to any of these groups. One more similarity between the US and India, Affirmative action is still doing nothing for me! Oh well.