The Telangana government took a big step Friday for fairness in local politics, issuing an order that reserves 42% of seats and positions in local bodies for Backward Classes, or BCs. This move from the Backward Classes Welfare Department should clear the path for upcoming local body elections across the state.
Before polls kick off, the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department, along with the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, will set aside those 42% spots for BCs. It’s all about giving underrepresented groups a stronger voice in village councils, municipalities, and urban local bodies.
This decision stems from a special commission set up in November 2024 to dive deep into BC backwardness and figure out the right reservation levels for local bodies. The team reviewed fresh data from the state’s caste survey and wrapped up its report in March 2025. They found that BCs make up 56.33% of Telangana’s population but still face big gaps in opportunities. The commission pushed for at least 42% reservation in political roles, especially in local governance, to help close that divide.
The government rolled out this order now because two key bills passed by the state assembly on August 31 are still waiting for the governor’s sign-off. Those bills—the Telangana Municipalities (Third Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Third Amendment) Bill, 2025—aim to boost BC reservations to 42% in local bodies by scrapping the old 50% cap on total quotas.
Back in March, the assembly also greenlit two other bills to raise BC quotas to 42% in education, jobs, and local bodies. But those are stuck awaiting approval from the President. To push for action, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy rallied ministers, MPs, and lawmakers for a protest in Delhi, urging the central government to approve the measures. They even tried booking a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu to explain the need, but got no reply from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
This push highlights Telangana’s ongoing fight for better BC representation through reservations, caste survey insights, and local body reforms.
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