Synopsis
The Telangana government has initiated the implementation of the Scheduled Caste sub-categorisation Act, making it the first state in India to do so following a Supreme Court ruling. This Act aims to rationalise the existing reservation for Scheduled Castes by categorising them into three groups based on backwardness.Key Takeaways
- Telangana is the first state to implement SC sub-categorisation.
- The Act classifies SCs into three groups based on backwardness.
- The initiative coincides with Dr B.R. Ambedkar's birth anniversary.
- The bill received Governor's assent on April 8.
- The Congress government fulfilled a long-standing demand for SC categorisation.
Hyderabad, April 14 (NationPress) The government of Telangana has commenced the implementation of the Scheduled Caste sub-categorisation Act on Monday.
The Law Department issued a Government Order (GO) that activates the Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Act.
This initiative aligns with the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution.
With this move, Telangana positions itself as the first state in India to implement SC sub-categorisation following a Supreme Court ruling last year.
Last month, the state Assembly passed a bill for the sub-categorisation of SCs, which was drafted after a report from a one-man commission led by Justice Shamim Akther.
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma granted his approval to the bill on April 8.
The Act seeks to rationalise the existing 15 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes by classifying 59 SC sub-castes into three groups based on their relative backwardness.
Group I consists of 15 of the most disadvantaged communities, making up 3.288 per cent of the SC population, and has been allocated a 1 per cent reservation. Group II includes 18 moderately benefited communities, which form 62.74 per cent of the SC population and will receive a 9 per cent reservation. Group III contains 26 relatively better-off communities, constituting 33.963 per cent of the SC population, and will obtain a 5 per cent reservation.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who led the Cabinet Sub-committee on SC categorisation, described this development as historic.
“From today, SC categorisation will be enforced in Telangana for both employment and education,” he stated to the media after delivering the first copy of the GO to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
He emphasized that the Congress government fulfilled a long-standing demand that was previously ignored in united Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He noted that many prior governments had passed resolutions in support of SC categorisation, but none implemented it with legal authority. He reflected on witnessing every Assembly session since 1999 where the issue was discussed but unresolved, asserting that it was the Congress government that demonstrated the political will to take action.
Uttam Kumar Reddy acknowledged the Congress's dedication to social justice, reiterating that the decision to implement SC categorisation was supported by strong leadership at the national level, with party leader Rahul Gandhi reaffirming his support during his election campaign.
The Sub-Committee approved the GO in its final meeting on Sunday, which was also attended by Justice Akther (retd).
The Commission, established in October 2024 following the Supreme Court's landmark decision on August 1, was tasked with examining socio-economic indicators across SC sub-castes.
It received over 8,600 representations and conducted an in-depth analysis of population distribution, literacy rates, higher education admissions, employment trends, financial assistance, and political engagement. Following its initial submission, its tenure was extended by a month to address concerns from various communities, ensuring all voices were heard before finalising the report.
Uttam Kumar Reddy clarified that the Cabinet Sub-Committee rejected the Commission’s recommendation to introduce a creamy layer within the SC category, asserting that the government is committed to equitable benefits without excluding any sub-group based on economic criteria. He assured that no existing benefits would be diminished and that the categorisation aims to enhance fairness while safeguarding the rights of all SC groups.
The minister mentioned that the current 15 per cent reservation for SCs is based on the 2011 Census, while the SC population in Telangana has now grown to about 17.5 per cent. He stated that the Congress government would consider increasing the total reservation once data from the 2026 Census becomes available.
