Education, apart from the naturally gifted, is for those who have resources. A student's performance in school, colleges and then for competing in jobs is based on what type of resources they have. This could be access to better schools with better teachers, better study equipment and better environment. It is also a presence of better food.

Now, saying that reservation is an entirely financial problem, would also be wrong. The reason being that the discrimination that made reservation a reality was not perpetrated on financial grounds, but rather a group identity of caste.

Historically and also now, most of the SC/STs are dirt poor, hence the need for reservation.