Two historic bills that will raise the current 50% maximum on reservations in local government, education, and government jobs to 70% have been approved by the Telangana Assembly. The Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats and Appointments) Bill, 2025, is one of these. It suggests increasing reservations to 42% for BCs, 18% for SCs, and 10% for STs. At present, the existing reservation percentages are 29% for BCs, 15% for SCs, and 6% for STs.
To advocate for the proposed constitutional amendment, CM A Revanth Reddy led an all-party delegation to PM Modi and other high-ranking MPs. He said empirical data from a door-to-door survey by the state government would drive this amendment. The House rejected three amendments proposed by BRS, which called for a 42% quota for BCs in all govt contracts, creation of a BC subplan similar to those for SCs and STs, and a Rs 20,000-crore allocation for BC welfare in the upcoming budget.
Revanth, deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, and BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed confidence that a constitutional amendment was a matter of time. They urged all political parties to set aside their differences to institutionalise the 42% BC quota, drawing inspiration from Tamil Nadu’s success in securing similar reservation for them through bipartisan support.
