Telangana has become first state in India to operationalize Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-categorisation, often described as “reservation within reservation.” Under newly implemented Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act 2025, the state has reclassified its 56 Scheduled Caste communities into three distinct groups to ensure a more equitable distribution of reserved benefits.
Key Highlights
Sub-Categorisation Details: The Act divides 56 SC communities into three groups:
- Group I: 15 socio-economically disadvantaged castes – allocated 1% reservation within the overall 15% SC quota.
- Group II: 18 castes – allocated 9% reservation.
- Group III: 26 castes – allocated 5% reservation.
Impact on Future Policies:
- The new categorisation might shape future policies on reservations in education, employment, and political representation.
Background & Rationale
Judicial Support:
- In August 2024, a landmark Supreme Court judgment upheld the constitutionality of sub-classifying SCs and STs to create separate quotas for the most marginalized groups within these communities.
- Telangana’s implementation of the Act is a direct outcome of this verdict, ensuring the benefits reach the neediest segments.
Social Dynamics:
The categorisation addresses long-standing demands from within the community:
- Madigas in Telangana have been agitating for sub-categorisation for over 30 years.
- Conversely, some sub-castes like the Malas have opposed the division.
Implementation Framework
Data-Driven Approach:
- The categorisation relied on detailed empirical studies and the contents of the Supreme Court verdict.
- The government has taken into account empirical data reflecting social, economic, educational, employment, and political status of the SC communities to formulate the categorisation.
Equitable Distribution:
- The three-tiered system is designed to ensure that the most marginalized SC groups receive a higher proportion of the reserved benefits.
Policy Guidance:
- This initiative is seen as a benchmark for future reservation policies across the country, aiming for more nuanced and effective social justice mechanisms.
Strategic Importance:
- Enhanced Equity in Reservations: By differentiating among SC communities, the scheme intends to reduce disparities and enable more targeted benefits.
- Governance & Social Justice: Telangana’s proactive move reinforces the government’s commitment to inclusive policy-making, addressing historic social inequities.
National Implications: As the first state to adopt such an approach, Telangana sets a precedent that could influence similar reforms across other states, potentially leading to nationwide policy shifts in reservation frameworks.