- Telangana will implement SC sub-categorization for education and jobs starting April, backed by new legislation.
- Admissions and recruitment processes will align with the revised sub-quota system for SC communities.
- The move follows a Supreme Court judgment and aims to ensure equitable opportunities for all SC sub-castes.
The Telangana government is preparing to implement a new reservation system for Scheduled Castes (SC) based on sub-categorization. This system will cover education and employment opportunities, with changes set to take effect in April. Official sources have confirmed that the state government plans to pass the required legislation during the upcoming Budget session in March to provide legal backing for the initiative.
The revised policy follows the Supreme Court’s judgment in August 2024, which allowed states to sub-categorize SC communities within the 15 percent reservation quota for education and jobs. In response, the Telangana government formed a commission, led by retired High Court Judge Justice Shameem Akhtar, to develop a framework for implementing SC sub-caste reservations. The commission submitted its recommendations in October 2024.
To ensure smooth implementation, the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) has been instructed to start accepting applications for Common Entrance Tests (CETs) for professional courses, including engineering, medical, MBA, and MCA, for the academic year 2025-26. Admissions for SC candidates will align with the new sub-categorization system during counseling sessions after June.
Similarly, the Telangana Public Service Commission (TSPSC) will begin issuing recruitment notifications under the revised system, ensuring job postings align with the SC sub-categorization policy. This includes using roster points to earmark specific job positions for certain SC sub-castes. Recruitment notifications have been on hold since October 2024 to accommodate these changes.