Telangana Becomes First State to Implement SC Sub-Categorisation

The Telangana government has become the first in India to implement Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-categorisation, following the Supreme Court’s approval. On April 14, 2025—coinciding with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary—the state issued a Government Order (GO) enforcing the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalization of Reservations) Act, 2025. The move aims to rationalize the existing 15% SC reservation by dividing 59 SC sub-castes into three groups based on inter-se backwardness, thus ensuring more equitable distribution of benefits.

This initiative aligns with historical efforts like the Lokur Committee (1965) and more recent Justice Ramachandra Raju and Usha Mehra Commissions, reflecting a shift toward targeted affirmative action.

Key Highlights of the SC Sub-Categorisation in Telangana

Legislative and Legal Framework

• The Telangana Assembly passed the Act on March 18, 2025.
• The Act received Governor’s assent on April 8, 2025.
• The GO was issued on April 14, Ambedkar Jayanti.
• Based on the Supreme Court’s judgment on August 1, 2024, which permitted SC sub-categorisation.
• Justice Shamim Akhtar led the one-man commission appointed in October 2024.

Structure of SC Sub-Categorisation

• Total SC Reservation: 15% (based on 2011 Census).
• SCs divided into 3 Groups based on social and educational backwardness.

Group No. of Communities

Group 1

• Communities: 15 (most disadvantaged)
• Population Share: 3.288% (~1.71 lakh)
• Reservation Allocation: 1%

Group 2

• Communities: 18 (moderately backward)
• Population Share: 62.74% (~34 lakh)
• Reservation Allocation: 9%

Group 3

• Communities: 26 (relatively better-off)
• Population Share: 33.963% (~17 lakh)
• Reservation Allocation: 5%

Key Basis for Categorisation

• Population size, literacy rates, employment, education access, financial assistance, and political participation.
• The Shamim Akhtar Commission received over 8,600 representations from communities.
• Final report submitted after extended consultation period.

Major Statements and Justifications

Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha

• Said it’s not a final solution, but a tool for upliftment.
• Emphasized the need for education, skill training, industrial support, and financial aid.
• Highlighted the Budiga Janga caste as an example of disproportionate disadvantage.

Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy

• Chaired final meeting on April 13, 2025.
• Rejected the creamy layer within SCs.
• Clarified no existing benefits will be diluted.
• Mentioned Telangana’s SC population now stands at 17.5%, so reservations may be increased after 2026 Census.

Political and Social Responses

• CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Reddy: Questioned downgrading of Rella community to Group 3.
• AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain: Suggested increasing SC reservation to 18% and creating 4 categories instead of 3.
• The government maintained 3 groups as optimal—2 would cause imbalance, 4 would be excessive.