The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet  approved a draft ordinance proposed by the Social Welfare Department to implement sub-categorization among Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Andhra Pradesh.

The 59 SC communities in the state will now be divided into three categories based on population, backwardness, and social integration. Group-I (12 Castes) – 1% Reservation,  Group-II (18 Castes) – 6.5% Reservation and  Group-III (29 Castes) – 7.5% Reservation.

A 200-point roster system will be implemented in two cycles (1–100 each) to administer this sub-categorization. The government believes this move will help fulfill constitutional mandates and promote inclusive development across all 26 districts.

The Cabinet ratified decisions from the April 10 State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) meeting, supporting investment proposals from multiple private industries. These proposals align with Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment. SIPB has already approved projects worth over Rs.4.62 lakh crore, with a potential to generate more than 4.23 lakh jobs.

Further, the Cabinet approved an extension of contract periods for seigniorage fee collection in seven districts (Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, Guntur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Anantapur) without requiring additional compensation.

The Andhra Pradesh Minor Minerals Policy – 2025 also received a green signal, aiming to enhance mineral production, attract investments, and ensure transparency and sustainability in mining operations.

Additionally, the Cabinet validated GOs No. 49, 50, and 51 issued on April 9, enabling APMDC (Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation) to issue Rs.9,000 crore worth of bonds. As part of this move, APMDC will be converted into a public company with new stakeholders and revised constitutional documents, strengthening its financial credibility.

The Cabinet approved the allocation of 21.16 acres in Visakhapatnam’s IT Hill No.3 to Tata Consultancy Services Ltd for setting up a Rs.1,370 crore IT campus, projected to create 12,000 jobs.

Proposals from other firms also gained approval, which include, Mahamaya Industries (steel plant expansion in Vizianagaram), Proterial Ltd (amorphous metal manufacturing in Sri City, Tirupati), URSA Clusters Pvt Ltd (data center in Visakhapatnam) and additional and allocation to URSA Clusters under SEZ norms. These decisions mark a strategic push to transform Visakhapatnam and Tirupati into IT and electronics hubs. The Cabinet empowered the APCRDA Commissioner to approve L1 bidders and issue Letters of Award (LOA) for Legislative Assembly Building (Rs.617.33 crore) and High Court Building (Rs.786.05 crore).

Additionally, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the State Climate Centre (S-C3) under the CITIIS 2.0 initiative, to support data-driven climate governance and facilitate the implementation of city-level climate action plans.

Several renewable energy projects were approved under the AP Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024. In addition, two hydroelectric projects in Odisha by M/s Orissa Power Consortium Ltd and the division of 11kV agricultural feeders under APCPDCL's RDSS plan were approved. In the revenue sector, 6.35 acres in Nadimpalem, Guntur District were allocated free of cost to ESIC for constructing a 100-bed hospital and residential quarters.

Also, 30 acres in Dwaraka Tirumala Mandal, Eluru District were allotted to the Endowments Department for developing the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. Further, 1.99 acres of government land in Kuppam Mandal, Chittoor, were approved for exchange with 1.31 acres of patta land to facilitate the construction of a Kendriya Vidyalaya. Similarly, 87.56 acres and 220.81 acres in Muthukur Mandal, SPSR Nellore District were approved for allocation to APIIC for the development of an industrial park, subject to standard regulatory conditions.