The Centre has justified its law granting 10-per cent quota for Economically Weaker Section (EWS), saying it has been brought to promote social equality.

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court yesterday, the centre said the Constitution Amendment was necessitated to benefit the economically weaker sections of the society who were not covered within the existing schemes of reservation.

The affidavit was filed in connection with a matter where a batch of petitions has challenged the validity of the Constitution Amendment.