Telangana has made history by becoming the first Indian state to notify and implement the categorization of Scheduled Castes (SCs) into three groups after the Supreme Court upheld sub-classification of SCs and STs. This move is aimed at ensuring fair reservation and representation based on the social and economic backwardness of sub-castes.
The official gazette notification was issued on April 14, 2025, marking it as the appointed day for the implementation of the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalization of Reservations) Act 2025.
Key Highlights of the Telangana Scheduled Castes List 2025
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Gazette Date | April 14, 2025 |
| Act Name | Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalization of Reservations) Act, 2025 |
| Purpose | Categorisation of SCs into Group-I, II and III |
| Reservation % | Group-I: 1% Group-II: 9% Group-III: 5% |
| No. of SC Sub-castes | 59 total |
| Basis | Supreme Court verdict (Aug 1, 2024), empirical data |
| Impact on Jobs | Applicable to new job recruitment |
| Future Scope | Enhancement of reservations post Census 2026 |
What is the SC Categorisation in Telangana?
Under the Scheduled Castes (Rationalization of Reservations) Act 2025, the SC community in Telangana is now divided into three groups based on their relative social, economic, educational and political status.
Group-I: Most Marginalized SCs (1% Reservation)
This group includes 15 SC sub-castes considered most backward, even though they make up only 0.5% of the population. They are now provided 1% exclusive reservation in education and employment.
Group-I SC Castes List
| S. No. | Name of the Caste |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bavuri |
| 2 | Beda (Budga) Jangam |
| 3 | Chachati |
| 4 | Dakkal, Dokkalwar |
| 5 | Jaggali |
| 6 | Kolupulvandlu, Pambada, Pambanda, Pambala |
| 7 | Mang |
| 8 | Mang Garodi |
| 9 | Manne |
| 10 | Mashti |
| 11 | Matangi |
| 12 | Mehatar |
| 13 | Mundala |
| 14 | Samban |
| 15 | Sapru |
Group-II: Marginally Benefited Castes (9% Reservation)
A total of 18 castes that received limited benefits so far are included in this group, which gets 9% reservation.
Group-II SC Castes List
| S. No. | Name of the Caste |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arundhatiya |
| 2 | Bindla |
| 3 | Chamar, Mochi, Muchi, Chamar-Ravidas, Chamar-Rohidas |
| 4 | Chambhar |
| 5 | Chandaia |
| 6 | Dandasi |
| 7 | Dom, Dombara, Paidi, Pano |
| 8 | Ellamalawar, Yellammalawandlu |
| 9 | Godari |
| 10 | Jambuvulu |
| 11 | Madiga |
| 12 | Madiga Dasu, Mashteen |
| 13 | Pamidi |
| 14 | Panchama, Pariah |
| 15 | Samagara |
| 16 | Sindhollu, Chindollu |
| 17 | Yatala |
| 18 | Valluvar |
Group-III: Relatively Better Placed Castes (5% Reservation)
26 castes that have been relatively better placed socially and economically are categorized into Group-III and allocated 5% reservation.
Group-III SC Castes List
| S. No. | Name of the Caste |
|---|---|
| 1 | Adi Andhra |
| 2 | Adi Dravida |
| 3 | Anamuk |
| 4 | Aray Mala |
| 5 | Arwa Mala |
| 6 | Bariki |
| 7 | Byagara, Byagari |
| 8 | Chalavadi |
| 9 | Dhor |
| 10 | Ghasi, Haddi, Relli, Chanchandi |
| 11 | Gosangi |
| 12 | Holeya |
| 13 | Holeya Dasari |
| 14 | Madasi Kuruva, Madari Kuruva |
| 15 | Mahar |
| 16 | Mala, Mala Ayawaru |
| 17 | Mala Dasari |
| 18 | Mala Dasu |
| 19 | Mala Hunnai |
| 20 | Malajangam |
| 21 | Mala Masti |
| 22 | Mala Sale, Netkani |
| 23 | Mala Sanyasi |
| 24 | Mitha Ayyalvar |
| 25 | Paky, Moti, Thoti |
| 26 | Relli |
Legal and Political Background
- The Supreme Court of India, in a historic judgment dated August 1, 2024, upheld the constitutional validity of SC and ST sub-classification for targeted welfare.
- This judgment enabled Telangana to categorise SCs based on empirical social indicators.
- A Cabinet sub-committee chaired by N. Uttam Kumar Reddy (Irrigation Minister) and C. Damodar Rajanarsimha (Health Minister) led the finalization of caste grouping.
- 33 sub-castes remain in their original groups, while only 26 castes (3.43% of SC population) were shuffled for rationalization.
Important Points for Telangana SC Youth
- All upcoming government recruitments will now follow this new group-wise reservation system.
- SC students and job seekers are advised to verify their caste grouping and updated reservation eligibility.
- Vacancies already notified before April 14, 2025 will not be affected by the new categorization.
What’s Next?
The Telangana government has also declared that further enhancement of SC reservations may be considered after Census 2026, based on the latest population and socio-economic data.
FAQs
What is the Telangana Scheduled Castes List 2025?
It is a categorised list of SC sub-castes in Telangana divided into three groups — Group-I, II, and III — based on backwardness, for fairer distribution of reservations.
How many Scheduled Caste sub-groups are there in Telangana?
There are 59 SC sub-castes in total, distributed across three groups.
When was the SC categorization implemented in Telangana?
It was notified on April 14, 2025 through the Telangana Gazette Extraordinary.
Is this applicable to all job and education reservations?
Yes, all future recruitment and admissions will follow the new categorization, except those already notified.