■   SC Categorisation implemented: Telangana becomes the first state to enforce SC sub-categorisation from April 14, 2025.

■   59 Castes, 3 Groups: SC communities divided into Groups I, II, III with 1%, 9%, and 5% reservations respectively.

■   CM Revanth Reddy calls it a "historic tribute" to Ambedkar; Ministers hail it as a long-overdue reform.

■   Future government job vacancies to follow new SC categorisation; census 2026 may revise quotas.

metro india news  I hyderabad

Marking a historic step towards social justice, the Telangana government has officially kick-started implementing the Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-categorisation from Monday, becoming the first state in India to do so following the Supreme Court's verdict. The move aims to distribute the 15% reservation among SC communities equitably based on their socio-economic conditions. From now on, state government jobs and education opportunities will be allocated based on this categorisation. 

The Cabinet Sub-Committee on SC Categorisation, chaired by Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy with members Damodar Rajanarsimha and Ponnam Prabhakar, handed over the first copy of the Gazette Order to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at the Secretariat. The notification has been issued in English, Telugu, and Urdu.

As per the new categorisation, 59 SC sub-castes have been divided into three groups: Group I: 15 most backward castes will get 1% reservation, Group II: 18 moderately benefitted castes – 9% reservation and finally Group III: 26 relatively advanced castes will be given 5% reservation

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy hailed the move as a landmark in the journey toward true equality. “We are all proud to have made history. On the highly auspicious day of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna, Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Telangana government paid the best tribute by bringing into force a great Act of social justice addressing a long-overdue demand of classification of SC sub-castes,” he posted on X.

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasised the comprehensive approach undertaken by the Cabinet Sub-Committee. “From today, from this moment, SC categorisation will be implemented in Telangana in employment and education. We have issued a GO to that extent and gave the first copy to the CM,” he said, adding that Telangana is the first state to implement SC categorisation post-Supreme Court verdict. He also noted that the classification was based on detailed consultations with stakeholders and that reservation percentages may be revised after the 2026 census if the SC population increases.

Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha, who was present at the press meet, said, “Classification is not against any caste. It is done to remove the internal backwardness and inequalities among Dalits. It is heartening that the aspiration of classification has been fully fulfilled on the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.”

He expressed gratitude to national and state leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, CM Revanth Reddy, Justice Shameem Akther, and other committee members, for their roles in bringing this long-pending reform to fruition. Remembering the sacrifices of those who fought for SC classification, he added, “We will always remember their sacrifices and stand by their families.”

The Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Bill, 2025, passed earlier this year, provided the legal foundation for this initiative, based on the recommendations of the One-Man Commission led by Justice Shameem Akther. The Telangana government has called upon the youth to prepare for upcoming job opportunities under this new categorisation framework.