Shri A. Revanth Reddy
Chief Minister of Telangana
On April 14, 2025, commemorating Ambedkar Jayanti, Telangana marked a turning point in its social justice landscape by enacting the Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2025, introducing sub-categorisation within the 15% SC reservation quota. Simultaneously, the State extended this approach to Backward Classes (BCs) by initiating a similar tiered reservation system among BC sub-groups.
While paying homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar through traditional processions and speeches, the State chose Legislative action as its real tribute. Aiming to ensure that the most deprived castes within these large, heterogeneous categories are no longer left behind, the Chief Minister Shri A. Revanth Reddy ensured the enactment of the Scheduled Castes Act.
The concept of sub-categorisation responds to a persistent problem:
not all SCs or BCs have equally benefitted from decades of affirmative action.
Though long debated, the idea of correcting this imbalance has remained politically sensitive until now. A game-changing moment arrived in August 2024, when a seven-judge Supreme Court Bench — led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud — ruled that States could create sub-quotas within SC and ST categories. Telangana wasted no time in acting on this historic judgment.
The State had proactively appointed a commission, led by retired Justice Shameem Akther, to examine disparities among 59 SC sub-castes. Based on the commission’s findings, Telangana restructured the SC quota as follows:
Telangana has taken a bold step that could influence the national discourse. Together, these measures represent more than bureaucratic reshuffling. They reflect a deeper shift in how the State defines fairness, recognise that inequality exists even within reserved categories, and believe that true justice must reach those furthest behind.
With the 2026 Census on the horizon and rising calls for caste-based data and quota expansion, Telangana’s sub-categorisation of SCs and BCs could serve as a model for other States grappling with similar internal disparities. For the most disadvantaged groups, this reform isn't about numbers — it’s about delivering long-overdue recognition and about finally being seen.