What is sub – categorisation :
It is a process of dividing a broad category into smaller, more specific subcategories .
How can telengana suddenly implement SC – Sub categorisation:
– A seven-judge Constitution Bench allowed further sub-classification of SCs and STs to ensure grant of quota to more backward castes inside these groups.
– Supreme Court also ruled that state governments can sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SC) for granting reservations, provided they demonstrate that certain groups within the SC category are not adequately represented.
Is their any sub categorisation in OBC :
Yes
– In Tamil Nadu, the Other Backward Classes (OBC) are further sub-categorized into Backward Classes (BC), Backward Class Muslims (BCM), and Most Backward Classes/Denotified Community (MBC/NDC).
What is the purpose of Sub – Categorisation in SC and ST
– There was historical, empirical evidence to show that the Scheduled Castes were a heterogeneous group with an inter-se backwardness.
– Hardships and the backwardness which these categories have suffered historically would differ from category to category.
Who can classify SC – Sub categorisation
– Supreme Court has ruled that state governments can sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SC) for granting reservations, provided they demonstrate that certain groups within the SC category are not adequately represented.
Article associated with SC Sub categorisation
1. Article 14
-The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India
– In the second expression, the Chief Justice noted, meant that laws must be administered equally among equals. According to the Chief Justice , this also “enjoins the State with the power to reasonably classify those who are differently placed.”
2. Article 341
– Article 341 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to specify castes, races, or tribes as Scheduled Castes (SC) for various states and union territories.
– This designation is made through a public notification, after consultation with the Governor of the respective state.
– Parliament can further include or exclude groups from the list of Scheduled Castes by law.
How Telengana Implement SC – Sub Categorisation?
– Telangana’s Congress government issued a gazette notification that formally implemented Scheduled Caste sub-categorisation, popularly called reservation within reservation.
– According to the notification, Scheduled Castes in the state will be divided into three categories – Group I, II and III.
– The Gazette notification, which implemented the Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Act, 2025, shows that
### Group I will get 1 percent reservation within the 15 percent quota for SCs;
### Group II will get 9 percent reservation; and Group III will get 5 percent reservation.
### Group I consists of 15 socio-economically backward castes, Group II has 18 and Group III has 26 such castes.
With this, Telangana becomes first state to implement SC sub-categorisation.