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.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Telangana Becomes First State to Implement SC Sub-Categorisation
Act Name	Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalization of Reservations) Act, 2025
Passed by	Assembly March 18, 2025
Governor’s Assent	April 8, 2025
GO Issued	April 14, 2025
Supreme Court Judgment	August 1, 2024
Commission Appointed	October 2024
Commission	Head Justice Shamim Akhtar (Retd.)
Total SC Reservation	15% (based on 2011 Census)
Group Division	3 Groups (based on backwardness)
Example Castes	Budiga Janga (Group 1), Rella (Group 3)
Representations Received	8,600+
Total SC Sub-Castes	59
Future Reservation Plans	Increase post-2026 Census