In a significant policy shift aimed at improving political representation and social justice, the Telangana government has officially extended a 42% reservation quota for Backward Classes (BCs) in rural and urban local bodies across the state.
This move was formalised through Government Order No. 9 on September 26, 2025, marking the culmination of months of policy preparation and political mobilisation led by the state’s BC commission, headed by retired IAS officer Busani Venkateshwara Rao.
The commission’s recommendations, grounded in extensive socio-economic, educational, employment, political, and caste survey data (SEEEPC Survey), highlighted the stark underrepresentation of BCs in governance despite them constituting more than 56% of Telangana’s population.
The legislative framework to support this change included amendments to the Telangana Municipal Laws (Amendment) Act 2018 and the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act 2018, which removed the 50% reservation cap for local bodies to accommodate the increased BC quota.
The Telangana Backward Classes (Reservations of Seats in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill, 2025 was unanimously passed by the state assembly, although it awaits the President of India’s assent. Meanwhile, the state government decided to implement the order proactively ahead of upcoming local body elections.
Implementation and Preparations for Local Elections
With the new reservation policy in place, the Telangana government has directed multiple departments, including Panchayat Raj, Municipal Administration, and Urban Development, to ensure immediate implementation. Preparations for local body elections are in full swing, with elections expected soon, significantly shaped by these new quotas.
According to official sources, the State Election Commission (SEC) has coordinated with key stakeholders, including the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and district officials, to finalise administrative, security, and logistic arrangements for smooth elections.
The government order outlines that out of 31 Zilla Parishad chairperson posts, 13 shall be allotted to BCs, 5 to Scheduled Castes (SCs), 3 to Scheduled Tribes (STs), and 10 to the general category, with women’s reservation also guaranteed within each group.
Overall, total reservation across Telangana’s rural and urban bodies is set to rise to around 67%, with 42% for BCs, 15% for SCs, and 10% for STs, surpassing the Supreme Court’s conventional 50% reservation ceiling, a point that may invite legal scrutiny in coming months.
Political Significance and Statements
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who has been a vocal advocate for increased BC representation, has played a central role in pushing this policy forward. “This reservation order is a monumental step to ensure that the backward classes in Telangana have their rightful share of political space,” said a government spokesperson.
BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar affirmed that the move is designed to promote inclusive growth and social justice, reflecting the state government’s commitment to rectifying historical disadvantages faced by BC communities. The decision also aligns with electoral promises made by the ruling Congress party during the 2023 assembly elections, underscoring political accountability towards marginalized groups.
The Telangana High Court, which has set a September 30 deadline for conducting local body elections, is closely monitoring the implementation to ensure compliance with legal and constitutional provisions. The government is prepared to present all necessary documentation and justifications related to the reservation policy to the court.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Telangana government’s decision to raise the BC reservation to 42% in local bodies exemplifies a dedicated effort to foster social equity and empower historically underrepresented communities. Such reforms not only strengthen democracy by making local governance more inclusive but also serve as a critical step towards dismantling structural inequalities. However, setting reservation limits above Supreme Court guidelines also invites a legal debate on the balance between social justice and constitutional boundaries. For welfare-oriented affirmative policies like this to succeed, transparent implementation, continuous dialogue, and robust community engagement are essential.
