HYDERABAD: Telangana has become the first state in India to implement Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-categorization through legislation, marking a historic milestone in social justice. Presenting the 2025-26 budget in the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka stated that the government is committed to ensuring an equitable distribution of reservations among SC communities, addressing long-standing concerns over the unequal share of government benefits.
The move comes after decades of demands from marginalized SC groups, particularly the Madiga community, who argued that they were underrepresented in education, jobs, and welfare programs due to an uneven distribution of reservations. By creating sub-categories within the SC quota, the government aims to ensure fair access to opportunities for all sections of the Scheduled Castes.
Why SC Sub-Categorization?
For years, certain SC communities in Telangana have disproportionately benefited from reservations in education, jobs, and welfare schemes, leaving many others with little or no access to these advantages. The new law:
• Divides the SC reservation quota into sub-categories, ensuring that historically neglected groups get a fair share of government benefits.
• Applies to education, employment, and welfare schemes, allowing equitable access to public resources for all SC sub-groups.
• Recognizes intra-community disparities, ensuring that marginalized groups within SCs are uplifted along with the rest of the category.
This policy is expected to benefit lakhs of families who were previously unable to fully utilize reservation benefits due to dominance by certain sub-groups within the SC category.
Welfare Measures for SC and BC Communities
Apart from sub-categorization, the Telangana government has announced a series of financial and social welfare schemes to uplift SCs and BCs across the state.
• ₹10,000 crore allocated for the Ambedkar Abhaya Hastham Scheme, a direct financial assistance program for SC families to support economic self-sufficiency.
• Expansion of SC, BC, and Minority Residential Schools, ensuring better access to quality education and hostel facilities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Financial aid for youth entrepreneurship, including ₹4 lakh assistance per beneficiary under the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam Scheme, encouraging self-employment and small businesses.
• Skill training and employment generation programs, focusing on preparing SC and BC youth for high-growth sectors like IT, manufacturing, and finance.
Setting a Precedent for Social Justice in India
The Telangana government’s decision to introduce SC sub-categorization is being viewed as a bold and progressive step toward more equitable reservation policies. The move:
• Ensures that reservation benefits reach the most disadvantaged groups within SCs, preventing dominance by select communities.
• Sets a model for other states and the central government to consider similar policies for better social equity.
• Empowers marginalized groups through education, employment, and financial support, paving the way for inclusive development.
With historic reforms in reservation policies and significant welfare investments, Telangana is reinforcing its commitment to social justice and equitable growth. The success of these measures will be closely watched by other states and could influence future discussions on reservation policies at the national level.
