Telangana to Implement SC Categorisation Act on Ambedkar Jayanti: A Historic Milestone in Social Justice


Landmark Implementation Begins April 14

In a historic move, the Telangana government will officially implement the Scheduled Caste (SC) Categorisation Act on April 14, 2025, coinciding with Ambedkar Jayanti. This development marks Telangana as the first state in India to enforce the SC sub-categorisation reform following a green signal from the Supreme Court of India.

The announcement was made by Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who chaired the final meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on SC Categorisation. The committee confirmed that the Government Order (GO) outlining the modalities of the Act will be issued on April 14 and its first copy will be formally handed to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

SC Categorisation Structure: Based on Inter-se Backwardness

The Act is designed to restructure the existing 15% reservation quota for Scheduled Castes by categorising 59 SC sub-castes into three groups:

  • Group I: The most disadvantaged 15 communities, representing 3.288% of the SC population. Allocated 1% reservation.

  • Group II: 18 moderately benefited communities, covering 62.74% of the SC population. Allocated 9% reservation.

  • Group III: 26 relatively better-off communities, making up 33.963% of the SC population. Allocated 5% reservation.

This categorisation is based on socio-economic and educational indicators, as per the recommendations of the Justice Shamim Akhtar Commission, which was appointed in October 2024.

Commission's Extensive Study and Stakeholder Consultations

The Justice Shamim Akhtar Commission conducted a rigorous assessment, collecting over 8,600 representations and examining metrics such as population distribution, literacy rates, education, employment, financial aid access, and political participation. Its tenure was extended by one month to accommodate feedback and ensure representation from all communities before submitting the final report.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee included notable members such as Vice Chairman Damodar Raja Narasimha, Ministers Seethakka and Ponnam Prabhakar, and senior bureaucrats like Principal Secretary Sridhar and Law Secretary Tirupati.

Political Will and Historical Context

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy lauded the Congress government for fulfilling a long-standing demand that remained unresolved through successive governments in both undivided Andhra Pradesh and post-formation Telangana. He highlighted that although resolutions in support of SC categorisation had been passed in the past, none were implemented with legal authority.

The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed the SC Categorisation Bill unanimously on March 18, and it was later approved by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, signaling bipartisan support and administrative readiness.

Rejection of the 'Creamy Layer' Clause

The Cabinet Sub-Committee also rejected the Commission’s recommendation to introduce a creamy layer exclusion within SC groups. Uttam Kumar Reddy clarified that no sub-group will be excluded from benefits based on economic criteria, affirming that equity and fairness will remain guiding principles in implementation.

Future Outlook and Census-Based Adjustments

Currently, SC reservations are based on the 2011 Census, pegging their share at 15%. However, Uttam Kumar Reddy pointed out that the SC population in Telangana has now increased to approximately 17.5%. He confirmed that the government would review and consider enhancing the reservation percentage once data from the 2026 Census becomes available.

Conclusion: A Data-Driven Path to Justice

The implementation of the SC Categorisation Act marks the culmination of an intense, data-driven, and consultative process that aims to correct historical inequities within the Scheduled Castes. The move reflects Telangana's commitment to inclusive governance, and sets a precedent for other Indian states.

This reform could redefine how affirmative action is approached, potentially prompting nationwide debates and policy reconsiderations on intra-group justice and equitable development.

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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