In a landmark move on April 14, 2025, the Telangana state government officially implemented Scheduled Caste (SC) categorisation, making it the first Indian state to operationalise such a classification system. The decision, which aligns with the birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, is being hailed as a significant step towards social justice and equitable representation.

The announcement was made by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who also chaired the cabinet subcommittee formed to oversee the categorisation process. The state issued a government order (GO) based on the recommendations made by a commission headed by Justice Shameem Akther, a retired High Court judge.

According to the official notification published in the Telangana Gazette, the 59 Scheduled Caste communities in the state will now be categorised into three distinct groups—Group I, Group II, and Group III—based on their socio-economic and educational status. The total 15% reservation for SCs in government jobs and educational institutions will now be distributed among these groups as follows:

• Group I: Comprising 15 most disadvantaged communities, this group has been allocated 1% reservation. These communities were identified as the most backward both economically and socially.

• Group II: This group consists of 18 communities that have moderately benefited from affirmative action policies in the past. They are now entitled to a 9% reservation.

• Group III: Featuring 26 relatively better-off SC communities, this group will receive 5% reservation.

This reallocation of reservation quotas seeks to address the longstanding issue of uneven benefit distribution among SC communities. While some SC groups have made significant progress over time, others have remained marginalised and underrepresented. The state government believes that by adopting this sub-categorisation model, affirmative action will become more inclusive and effective.

The categorisation has been implemented immediately, with all future government job recruitments and educational admissions in Telangana to follow the new structure. Minister Reddy, in his press briefing, handed over the first printed copy of the GO to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, signifying the formal commencement of the policy.

Speaking to the media, Reddy said, “From this moment, SC categorisation is in effect in Telangana in both employment and education. We’ve issued the GO and presented the first copy to the Chief Minister.” He criticised previous state administrations for limiting themselves to passing resolutions or symbolic gestures, adding that Telangana has taken real action.

“This is not just a reform; it’s a milestone in the history of social equity in our country. Telangana is now leading the way in practical implementation of SC categorisation, and other states should take note,” Reddy declared.

The process of categorisation was not rushed. The cabinet subcommittee undertook extensive consultations with stakeholders, including community leaders, social scientists, educational experts, legal advisors, and policy researchers. The objective was to ensure that the final categorisation would be both fair and evidence-based.

Importantly, the minister confirmed that adjustments in the reservation quotas will be made based on demographic changes revealed in the upcoming 2026 national census. If the SC population increases, corresponding recalibration of reservation percentages will follow.

This announcement comes at a time when caste-based equity and affirmative action policies are increasingly debated across India. While sub-categorisation of SCs has long been discussed, Telangana is the first state to translate the theory into policy and law, opening the door for other states and the central government to explore similar frameworks.

The categorisation has also been strategically timed to coincide with Ambedkar Jayanti, sending a strong symbolic message about the state’s commitment to the principles of equality and social justice enshrined in the Constitution.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has expressed full support for the move, calling it a "historic corrective step" that honours the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar by recognising intra-caste disparities that exist within the broader SC category.

The implementation of the policy could have far-reaching implications for:

• Political representation of smaller SC communities who previously felt marginalised.

• Educational upliftment through targeted scholarships and admissions.

• Employment equity by giving underrepresented SCs better access to government jobs.

Legal experts have noted that this move may set off a wave of legislative reforms across India. While sub-categorisation of OBCs has been a topic of national discussion, the SC category had not seen similar segmentation in active policy until now.

Supporters of the Telangana decision argue that “equality among equals” is crucial in ensuring that reservation benefits reach those most in need, rather than being cornered by dominant subgroups within the SC list. However, critics warn that implementing such categorisation in other states could be more contentious, especially where SC communities are politically stronger and more fragmented.

The central government has so far maintained a cautious approach to SC sub-categorisation. However, Telangana’s example may now intensify the debate at the national level, especially with several states due for assembly elections in the next two years.

From a policy-making standpoint, Telangana’s decision marks a bold shift from symbolic to structural social justice, addressing not just caste disparities, but inequities within castes themselves.

As the first state to implement this, Telangana has effectively set a precedent and will likely become a case study in administrative academies, think tanks, and civil services training programmes across the country.

In conclusion, this bold step by the Telangana government signifies more than just a change in reservation quotas—it represents a progressive realignment of social justice policies, aligning them closer with ground realities and empirical data. It remains to be seen whether other Indian states will follow suit, but for now, Telangana has made history.

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