The Andhra Pradesh State Assembly has handed a Bill to implement sub-classification among the many State’s 59 Scheduled Castes, aiming to make sure a fairer distribution of reservation advantages in schooling and public employment.

Tabling the Bill on Tuesday, Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Minister for Social Welfare, Disabled, and Senior Citizen Welfare, stated the measure seeks to advertise equity and equitable entry to alternatives for all Scheduled Castes within the State.

Currently, Scheduled Castes are entitled to a 15% reservation in public sector jobs and academic establishments. The Bill aligns with constitutional provisions underneath Articles 14 to 16 and Directive Principles of State Policy underneath Articles 38, 39, 41, and 46, which emphasise social justice, equality of alternative, and protecting measures for socially and educationally backward communities.

Under the proposed classification, Group I – Most Backward (12 castes) will obtain 6.5% of the 15% reservation, Group II – Backward (18 castes) will obtain 7.5%, and Group III (29 castes) will obtain 1%.

The Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes (Sub-classification) Ordinance, 2025, was promulgated by the Governor on April 16, 2025, and revealed within the Andhra Pradesh Gazette on April 17, 2025. The newly launched Bill seeks to switch the ordinance and formalise these provisions by way of legislative approval.

This transfer follows a landmark Supreme Court judgment in W.P. Civil Appeal No. 2317 of 2011 and associated petitions, delivered on August 1, 2024, during which a seven-judge bench, by a 6:1 majority, upheld the constitutionality of sub-classification inside Scheduled Castes. In response, the Andhra Pradesh authorities appointed a One-Man Commission, led by Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, IAS (Retd.), underneath the COI Act, to suggest sub-classifications among the many State’s Scheduled Caste sub-groups. The authorities has permitted these suggestions.

Published – September 23, 2025 09:34 pm IST

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