Hyderabad: BC census data collection became a contentious issue in Telangana after State BC Commission chairman G. Niranjan objected to the absence of a BC category column in the first phase of the ongoing census. He raised the issue in a letter addressed to Telangana Census Director Bharati Holikeri on Thursday.
Niranjan said the omission of BC census data during the first phase of population enumeration disappointed Backward Classes in Telangana. The first phase of census operations in the state began on April 26, 2026.
The BC Commission chairman referred to the decision taken by the Union Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on April 30, 2025, to collect caste data of Backward Classes during the 2027 census exercise.
According to the letter, the Centre later clarified that officials would collect BC details during the second phase of population enumeration. Meanwhile, the BC Commission sought clarity on how officials would record caste details during the second phase.
BC census data issue prompts demand for clarification
G. Niranjan sent the list of BC castes in Telangana to the Census Directorate along with the letter. He also requested officials to explain the procedure for entering caste-wise details in the second phase of census operations.
The BC Commission further asked the Census Directorate to issue a detailed clarification on the matter at the earliest.
Officials have not yet issued a formal response regarding the concerns raised by the BC Commission chairman.