Telangana's Implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub-Categorisation
The government of Telangana has officially implemented a system of Scheduled Caste sub-categorisation, known as "reservation within reservation," following a gazette notification. This sub-categorisation divides the Scheduled Castes (SCs) in the state into three groups with distinct reservation percentages.
Details of the Sub-Categorisation
- Group I: Receives 1% reservation within the 15% SC quota, consisting of 15 socio-economically backward castes.
- Group II: Allocated 9% reservation, comprising 18 castes.
- Group III: Granted 5% reservation, including 26 castes.
This initiative makes Telangana the first state in India to implement such sub-categorisation for SCs, aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of quotas among more backward castes within these groups.
Implementation and Approval
- The Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Act, 2025 received the governor’s assent on April 8, and was published in the Telangana Gazette on April 14, 2025.
- The policy will be applied in sectors of employment and education immediately following the gazette's publication.
Telangana's Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, highlighted the historic nature of this decision, particularly its alignment with social justice initiatives and Dr. B R Ambedkar's vision.
Challenges and Reactions
- The implementation faced opposition from sub-castes like the Malas, while the Madigas had advocated for such changes for over 30 years.
- The Supreme Court's recent judgment enabling further subclassification of SCs and STs provided judicial backing for the state's decision.
Overall, this move is seen as a significant step towards empowering different sections within the Dalit community and addressing long-standing demands for equitable classification.
