Telangana Begins Sub-Categorization of SCs | 12 Oct 2024

Source: TH 

Recently, the Telangana government has initiated the process of categorizing Scheduled Castes (SCs) into four distinct sub-groups: A, B, C, and D.  

• This development follows the Supreme Court's landmark judgment which granted states the authority to sub-classify reserved categories, including Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), for reservation purposes. 
• Supreme Court Ruling: 
  • The Supreme Court, in a review-judgment of Punjab and Haryana High Court,  allowed states to sub-classify SCs and STs under Article 14 of the Constitution  based on varying levels of backwardness. 
  • It ruled that the 'creamy layer' principle, previously applied only to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) (as highlighted in Indra Sawhney Case), should now also be applied to SCs and STs.  
  • It also held that reservations are applicable solely to the first generation; if a family member has availed of the benefits, the second generation becomes ineligible. 

Read More: SC Allows for Sub-Classification of SCs and STs