• Vidhi Madan
• Dr. Pritam Singh Panwar

India, a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, has made strides in advancing rights for marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community. The complex interplay of gender, sexuality, and social justice presents significant challenges in addressing the marginalized communities. The reservation system, designed to uplift historically oppressed groups, has been a cornerstone of India's social justice framework. However, the inclusion of the LGBTQ community in this system has remained contentious and the question of whether the LGBTQ+ community should be included under affirmative action policies, particularly in relation to reservations (quotas) in education and employment, remains a subject of debate. This paper explores the intersection of gender, sexuality, and social justice, focusing on the LGBTQ community's struggle for recognition and examines the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and reservation policies in India and the potential for affirmative action to address the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. It critically analyzes the legal, political, and societal barriers that hinder the inclusion of sexual minorities, while also evaluating the arguments for and against their reservation. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive view of the legal, sociocultural, and economic aspects of this debate, ultimately contributing to the ongoing discourse on equality and justice in India. Additionally, paper also explores various global perspectives and critiques, offering recommendations for a more inclusive policy.

LGBTQ, reservation, gender, sexuality, rights

"LGBTQ and Reservations in India: A Critical Examination", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 3, page no.b694-b700, March-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2503177.pdf

"LGBTQ and Reservations in India: A Critical Examination", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 3, page no. ppb694-b700, March-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2503177.pdf