New Delhi: In a bold stride toward equitable social justice, Telangana has become the first Indian state to implement Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-categorisation, a policy aimed at redistributing reservation benefits to the most marginalized within the SC community. On April 14, 2025, the state government issued a gazette notification for the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2025, aligning the announcement with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary. This landmark move, enabled by a 2024 Supreme Court ruling, marks a turning point in addressing disparities in education and employment opportunities among SC sub-castes.
A Judicial Breakthrough: The Supreme Court’s 2024 Ruling
The foundation for Telangana’s policy was laid by the Supreme Court’s verdict in State of Punjab vs. Davinder Singh (2024). A seven-judge bench, in a 6:1 decision, reversed the 2004 EV Chinnaiah v. State of Andhra Pradesh ruling, which had deemed SC sub-classification unconstitutional. The 2024 judgment affirmed that states can sub-classify SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs) under Articles 15(4) and 16(4), which govern reservations in education and public employment.
The Court emphasized substantive equality—a principle rooted in Article 14—over formal equality. It recognized that SCs, listed under Article 341, are not a uniform group but comprise diverse sub-castes with varying levels of backwardness. Sub-classification, the Court ruled, enables targeted upliftment without altering the Presidential List, thus complying with constitutional safeguards. The judgment also clarified that the 1992 Indra Sawhney case, which permitted OBC sub-classification, did not preclude similar measures for SCs.
To prevent misuse, the Court mandated that sub-classifications be grounded in empirical evidence, not political motives, and remain open to judicial scrutiny. This ruling empowered states like Telangana to enact tailored reservation policies.
Telangana’s Trailblazing Implementation
Telangana acted swiftly to translate the Supreme Court’s directive into action. On March 18, 2025, the state legislature passed the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Bill, 2025. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma approved the bill on April 8, and on April 14, a gazette notification formalized its implementation. The notification was presented to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy by a Cabinet sub-committee led by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Health Minister C. Damodar Rajanarsimha.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Reddy declared, “Telangana has made history as the first state to implement SC sub-categorisation, honoring Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision on his birth anniversary. This is a monumental step toward social justice.”
Although Haryana’s Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced a similar policy on November 14, 2024, Telangana’s comprehensive framework and formal notification cemented its status as the pioneer.
The Sub-Categorisation Model
Telangana’s policy divides the state’s 59 SC sub-castes into three groups, with reservations totaling 15% of opportunities in education and government jobs:
- Group I (1% Reservation): Includes 15 sub-castes, representing 0.5% of the population, identified as the most disadvantaged. This group receives a disproportionate share to boost their access to opportunities.
- Group II (9% Reservation): Comprises 18 sub-castes, including the Madiga community, which have seen moderate benefits from existing reservations.
- Group III (5% Reservation): Encompasses 26 sub-castes, such as the Mala community, which have historically accessed more opportunities.
This structure applies to new recruitments and admissions, leaving previously notified vacancies unaffected. The government plans to reassess quotas post-2026 Census to reflect updated demographic trends.
Empirical Evidence: The Justice Shameem Akther Commission
The policy’s backbone is a 200-page report by a commission headed by retired High Court judge Justice Shameem Akther. Using 2011 Census data, the commission analyzed Telangana’s 3.50 crore population, of which SCs constitute 54.32 lakh (15.52%). Among SCs, 52.17 lakh identified specific sub-castes, while 2.14 lakh did not.
The report revealed significant disparities, particularly between the Madiga (32.33 lakh, 61.97% of SCs) and Mala (15.27 lakh, 29.27%) communities, which dominate the SC population. Key findings include:
- Employment: SCs hold 94,114 of 5.21 lakh government and public sector jobs (18.04%). Madigas account for 45,971 positions, while Malas hold 36,956, despite their smaller population.
- Education: In 2024–2025, 541 Madiga students entered top medical colleges, compared to 557 Mala students. From 2021–2024, Madigas secured 3,384 engineering seats, while Malas secured 3,034.
- Political Representation: Between 2007 and 2024, Malas elected 23 MLAs, three MLCs, and four MPs, outperforming Madigas (29 MLAs, three MLCs, three MPs) relative to population size.
The commission highlighted the neglect of smaller sub-castes, recommending sub-categorisation based on representation in state services, education, and politics.
Critical Perspectives
The policy has sparked both praise and critique. Ghanta Chakrapani, Vice-Chancellor of B.R. Ambedkar Open University, warned that sub-categorisation could fracture SC unity, fostering caste-based rivalries. He criticized the government for ignoring Supreme Court guidance on assessing social exclusion, relying instead on population data.
S. Mallesh, former Vice-Chancellor of Satavahana University, argued that the policy favored communities already benefiting from reservations, sidelining those entirely excluded. He called for a bottom-up approach to prioritize the most marginalized.
Economic and Social Ripple Effects
Beyond reservations, sub-categorisation will influence Telangana’s Scheduled Caste Special Development Fund, which allocates 15% of the state budget across 34 departments. Funds may now be distributed according to the 1%, 9%, and 5% quotas, impacting programs like Kalyana Laxmi (bridal financial aid), overseas scholarships, and self-employment loans.
A senior official, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the legislation provides a robust framework for equitable development, ensuring resources reach underserved sub-castes.
A Long-Standing Demand
The push for SC sub-categorisation in Telangana dates back to 2014, when the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government passed a resolution requesting constitutional amendments for equitable reservation distribution. Presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the resolution stalled until the 2024 Supreme Court verdict provided legal clarity.
Honoring Ambedkar’s Legacy
By launching the policy on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, Telangana paid homage to his vision of equality. The initiative addresses a decades-old issue: the uneven spread of reservation benefits, which has fueled competition among SC sub-castes. As Chief Minister Reddy noted, it is a fitting tribute to Ambedkar’s enduring legacy.
National Implications
Telangana’s policy sets a blueprint for other states. Its evidence-based approach, coupled with judicial oversight, could inspire nationwide reforms, fostering a fairer reservation system. The policy also underscores the importance of data in crafting inclusive policies, a model that could extend to STs and OBCs.
Conclusion
Telangana’s SC sub-categorisation is a historic leap toward social justice, addressing inequities within one of India’s most marginalized communities. While challenges like caste fragmentation and implementation hurdles persist, the policy’s data-driven framework offers hope for a more equitable future. As India watches, Telangana’s bold experiment could redefine affirmative action nationwide.
FAQs
1. What is the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2025?
The Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2025 is a landmark law that implements SC sub-categorisation in Telangana, dividing 59 SC sub-castes into three groups with distinct reservation quotas (1%, 9%, and 5%) within the overall 15% SC reservation. Effective from April 14, 2025, it aims to ensure equitable access to education and government jobs for the most marginalized SC communities, following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling.
2. Why did Telangana introduce SC sub-categorisation?
Telangana introduced SC sub-categorisation to address disparities in how reservation benefits are distributed among SC sub-castes. Data showed that communities like the Malas accessed more opportunities than numerically larger groups like the Madigas or smaller, overlooked sub-castes. The policy, backed by a commission’s findings, seeks to promote substantive equality by allocating reservations based on socio-economic and educational backwardness.
3. How are the SC sub-castes grouped under Telangana’s new policy?
The policy divides Telangana’s 59 SC sub-castes into three groups:
Group III (5% reservation): 26 sub-castes with better access to opportunities, including Malas.
These quotas apply to new government jobs and educational admissions starting April 14, 2025.
Group I (1% reservation): 15 highly disadvantaged sub-castes, representing 0.5% of the population.
Group II (9% reservation): 18 moderately benefited sub-castes, including Madigas.
4. What role did the Supreme Court play in enabling this policy?
In State of Punjab vs. Davinder Singh (2024), a seven-judge Supreme Court bench ruled that states can sub-classify SCs and STs to ensure equitable reservation benefits, overturning a 2004 verdict. The Court emphasized that sub-classification aligns with substantive equality under Article 14 and must be supported by empirical data, paving the way for Telangana’s policy.
5. How will Telangana’s SC sub-categorisation impact other states?
Telangana’s policy sets a precedent for other Indian states by demonstrating a data-driven approach to SC sub-categorisation. Its success could inspire similar reforms nationwide, encouraging states to address internal disparities within SC communities. The policy’s focus on judicial oversight and empirical evidence provides a model for balancing social justice with constitutional safeguards.
