Telangana Implements Scheduled Castes Sub-Categorisation Act

On April 14, 2025, Telangana became the first state of India to implement the Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-categorisation. This landmark decision follows the passing of the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act 2025. The Act aims to divide the existing 59 SC communities into three distinct groups to enhance the effectiveness of reservation policies in education and employment.

Legislative Framework

The Telangana government issued a Gazette notification formalising the sub-categorisation. This notification aligns with the Supreme Court ruling from August 2024, which upheld the legality of sub-classifying SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for more equitable reservation distribution. The Act received the governor’s assent on April 8, 2025, and was published for public information on the 14th, coinciding with Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.

Categories of Sub-Categorisation

The SC communities are now divided into three groups:

• Group I: Comprises 15 sub-castes identified as most backward, receiving 1% reservation.
• Group II: Includes 18 sub-castes with marginal benefits, allocated 9% reservation.
• Group III: Encompasses 26 sub-castes comparatively better off, receiving 5% reservation.

This classification aims to target assistance more effectively towards the most disadvantaged sub-castes.

Historical Context and Implications

The sub-categorisation reflects a broader aim to address historical inequities within SC communities. Experts argue that this decision is crucial for ensuring that the benefits of reservations are not monopolised by more dominant groups within the SC category. The categorisation will be based on empirical data regarding socio-economic status, educational attainment, and employment opportunities.

Political Considerations

The move also has political implications. The Congress government, led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, seeks to consolidate support from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and SC voters ahead of upcoming local elections. This demographic constitutes portion of Telangana’s electorate. The government’s decision to raise the OBC quota to 42% further complicates the political landscape, challenging the Supreme Court’s 50% cap on total reservations.

Future Prospects

The categorisation will immediately influence recruitment for government jobs and educational opportunities. The government has indicated that if the SC population increases in the 2026 census, the reservations will be adjusted accordingly. This proactive approach aims to empower more individuals from the SC communities.