This research article analyzes the constitutional evolution of the reservation system in India, focusing on the conceptual and policy shift from social justice to economic justice. The Indian Constitution adopted reservation as an effective instrument of social justice for historically disadvantaged and oppressed classes, especially Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. The right to equality was given concrete shape through Articles 14, 15(4), 15(5) and 16(4).

Over time, changes in the social structure, increasing economic inequality and unequal availability of opportunities led the concept of reservation towards new discussions. In this sequence, the 103^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 made provision for reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), which expanded the traditional concept of social justice-based reservation and included economic justice in the constitutional discourse.