Telangana Commission Pushes for 40 Castes to be Added to Central OBC List Before Census
Synopsis
The Telangana Commission for Backward Classes urges the Central government to add 40 castes to the OBC list before the Census begins. This move aims to ensure accurate representation and prevent underreporting of Backward Classes in Telangana.
Key Takeaways
Telangana Commission's request: Inclusion of 40 castes in Central OBC list.
Census timeline: House listing from May 11 to June 9, 2026.
Backward Classes recognition: 130 castes identified, only 90 included in Central OBC list.
Risk of underreporting: Failure to include these castes may lead to inaccurate Census data.
Government's response: No decision yet from the Central government on the matter.
Hyderabad, March 4 (NationPress) The Telangana Commission for Backward Classes announced on Wednesday that the Census in the state should only commence once the Central government incorporates 40 castes into the Central OBC list. Commission Chairman G. Niranjan has addressed a letter to Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, urging prompt action for adding these 40 Backward Class castes from Telangana to the Central OBC list.
In accordance with the Central Census initiative in Telangana, house listing is set to occur from May 11 to June 9, 2026. Following this, the population enumeration will take place from February 9 to February 28, 2027.
Niranjan indicated that this Census will only account for the 90 castes recognized in Telangana, as the Central Government's OBC list presently includes just 90 Backward Class castes. This situation poses a risk of underreporting the actual number of Backward Class castes in Telangana.
The chairman emphasized that while 130 castes in Telangana are acknowledged as Backward Classes, the Central Government has only included 90 in the OBC list, leaving 40 castes unaccounted for. This omission could lead to a significant underrepresentation of the actual Backward Classes in the state.
Both the state government and the Backward Class Commission have previously urged the Central government to incorporate these 40 castes into the Central OBC list, yet no resolution has been reached to date.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that the initial phase of the Census 2027 will begin across Telangana on May 11 with House Listing Operations.
Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, along with Director of Census Operations, Telangana, Bharathi Holikeri, held a detailed review meeting with District Collectors to evaluate the readiness and establish comprehensive plans for the upcoming Census enumeration.
House Listing Operations (HLO) will commence statewide on May 11. To enhance participation, a significant digital initiative will allow self-enumeration starting 15 days prior to HLO, enabling citizens to voluntarily provide their information online through the designated portal. This dual strategy aims to boost efficiency and citizen engagement.
The Chief Secretary instructed all District Collectors to guarantee full geographical coverage, asserting that no household, habitation, remote settlement, tribal hamlet, or urban slum should be overlooked. He stressed the importance of focusing on inaccessible and vulnerable areas to ensure comprehensive enumeration.
Point of View
The Telangana Commission's insistence on including the 40 castes in the Central OBC list before the Census highlights a crucial issue of representation and social justice. This request, if addressed, could lead to a more accurate reflection of the Backward Class population in Telangana, ensuring that the rights and needs of these communities are recognized and met.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main request of the Telangana Commission for Backward Classes?
The Commission is requesting that the Central government include 40 castes in the Central OBC list before the Census in Telangana begins.
When will the Census house listing take place in Telangana?
The house listing in Telangana is scheduled from May 11 to June 9, 2026.
How many castes are recognized as Backward Classes in Telangana?
There are 130 castes recognized as Backward Classes in Telangana, but only 90 are currently included in the Central OBC list.
What is the potential impact of not including these 40 castes in the OBC list?
Excluding these castes could lead to significant underreporting of the Backward Class population in Telangana, affecting their representation and access to benefits.
Has the Central government responded to the requests for inclusion of these castes?
As of now, the Central government has not made a decision regarding the inclusion of the 40 castes in the Central OBC list.
