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Telangana Implements Sub-Categorisation of Scheduled Castes Reservations

Why in the News ?

Telangana became one of the first states to implement sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes in education and jobs, following a Supreme Court ruling in August 2024. The move aims to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits among SC sub-groups.

Telangana Implements Sub-Categorisation of SCs :

• Telangana has officially implemented the sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SC) for reservations in education and government jobs.
• The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling in August 2024, which allowed states to sub-categorise SC reservations.
• The state issued a gazette notification on April 8, 2025, after the governor’s assent to the Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Bill, 2025.
  
• This move aims to ensure fair distribution of the 15% SC reservation quota among different SC sub-groups.

Sub-Categorisation Structure and Purpose

• Telangana divided its 59 SC communities into three groups: Group I, Group II, and Group III.
• These groups will share the existing 15% reservation for government jobs and educational institutions.
• The sub-categorisation ensures underrepresented sub-castes benefit from affirmative action.
• The decision was announced on the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as a tribute to his legacy of social justice.

Commission’s Role and Government’s Stand

• A commission led by retired Justice Shameem Akther studied population trends, education, employment, and representation before suggesting the sub-categorisation.
• Over 8,600 public representations were analyzed.
• The commission’s suggestion for an economic-based “creamy layer” was rejected to prevent exclusion of any SC sub-group.
• The Telangana government hinted at revising the reservation percentage once updated Census data is available.
• Telangana becomes the first southern state and among the pioneers nationally to implement this form of social justice.