The Telangana Legislative Assembly has passed two significant bills increasing reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) from 23% to 42%, raising the total reservation in the state to 70%. This decision, based on a caste survey indicating that BCs constitute 56.36% of the population, aims to enhance representation in education, employment, and local governance.
However, this move breaches the Supreme Court’s 50% cap on quotas, likely leading to legal challenges. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has proposed an all-party delegation to seek constitutional amendments from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the new framework is legally protected.
Telangana Sets a Precedent for Reservation Policies
On March 17, 2025, the Telangana Assembly unanimously passed two pivotal bills: the ‘Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats and Appointments) Bill, 2025’ and the ‘Telangana Backward Classes (Reservation in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill, 2025’. These bills raise BC quotas to 42%, SCs to 18%, and STs to 10%, surpassing the previous limits of 29%, 15%, and 6% respectively.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed gratitude for cross-party support during the eight-hour debate, emphasizing that empirical data from a comprehensive state-conducted caste survey supports this legislative action. He called for unity among political leaders to push for constitutional amendments that would protect these new reservations.
Legal and Political Implications
The passage of these bills comes amid concerns regarding their constitutionality, as they exceed the Supreme Court’s established cap on reservations. The recent history of similar legislative attempts in states like Bihar and Karnataka, which faced judicial scrutiny, raises questions about the potential legal challenges ahead for Telangana’s new framework.
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar indicated that Congress would advocate for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, which would shield these reservations from judicial review. Additionally, discussions in the assembly included a bill aimed at sub-categorising Scheduled Castes into three groups for more effective reservation allocation.
Public Response and Broader Context
The introduction of these bills has ignited diverse reactions among citizens and political analysts. Supporters view this as a significant advancement towards social justice for historically marginalized communities, while critics warn of potential ramifications for meritocracy in education and employment. Chief Minister Reddy highlighted that BCs have long been underrepresented despite making up a majority of Telangana’s population.
This legislative shift not only addresses immediate concerns but also stimulates national conversations about caste-based reservations and their implications for governance across India.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The recent legislative developments in Telangana exemplify a bold commitment to social equity and representation for marginalized communities. By utilising data-driven approaches to inform policy decisions, Telangana sets a commendable example for inclusive governance.
However, this move also raises essential questions about balancing equity with constitutional mandates. As we navigate this complex landscape of social justice, we invite our readers to reflect: How can states effectively implement reservation policies while adhering to constitutional limits? Share your insights below!
