Why in News?

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved a draft ordinance by the Social Welfare Department to implement sub-categorisation among Scheduled Castes (SCs).

This means the government plans to introduce ‘reservation within reservation’, aiming to allocate quotas based on the relative level of backwardness among different SC communities.

The move seeks to ensure more equitable distribution of benefits among the most disadvantaged sections within the SC category.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Sub-Categorisation Ordinance – Background
• Purpose of SC Sub-Categorisation
• Rajeev Ranjan Mishra Commission Recommendations
• Proposed Quota Distribution Among SC Sub-Groups

Sub-Categorisation Ordinance – Background

• Following the Supreme Court’s verdict allowing states to sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Andhra Pradesh government initiated steps to implement this within the state.
• Formation of Commission
  • In November 2024, the then government established a one-man commission under retired IAS officer Rajeev Ranjan Mishra to examine the need and structure for SC sub-categorisation.
  • The commission conducted public hearings across the state's 13 districts (now reorganised into 26 districts), gathering views from stakeholders, community members, and experts.
• Submission and Adoption of Report
  • The commission submitted its comprehensive report in March 2025.
  • The report was subsequently unanimously adopted by both the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh.
• Draft Ordinance Prepared
  • Based on the recommendations of the report, the state government has drafted an ordinance to implement sub-categorisation among SCs.

Purpose of SC Sub-Categorisation

• The main goal of SC sub-categorisation is to ensure fair and equitable distribution of reservation benefits among all SC sub-castes, rather than concentrating them within a few dominant groups.
• Demand for Proportional Representation
  • Leaders from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Backward Classes (BCs) argue that reservation should be based on the numerical strength of individual sub-castes, not just on the overall SC population.
  • This would make the quota system more just and representative.
• Call for Criteria-Based Reservations
  • Supporters have long advocated that reservations in education, government jobs, and local bodies should be allocated based on the backwardness, and social and financial status of each SC sub-group.
• Grievance of the Madiga Community
  • The Madiga community, a major SC sub-group in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, claims that the Mala community dominates and corners most reservation benefits.
  • They seek sub-categorisation to correct this imbalance and ensure inclusivity for all marginalised sub-castes.

Rajeev Ranjan Mishra Commission Recommendations

• The Commission recommended dividing the Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Andhra Pradesh into three distinct categories, based on the level of backwardness, covering a total of 59 SC sub-castes.
• Group 1: Most Backward (Relli Sub-group)
  • This group includes 12 sub-castes considered the most socio-economically disadvantaged.
  • Sub-castes included:
    • Bavuri, Chachati, Chandala, Dandasi, Dom, Ghasi, Godagali, Mehtar, Paki, Pamidi, Relli, Sapru
• Group 2: Backward (Madiga Sub-group)
  • Comprising 18 sub-castes, this group is classified as backward, but slightly better off than Group 1.
  • Sub-castes included:
    • Arundhatiya, Bindala, Chamar, Chambhar, Dakkal, Dhor, Godari, Gosangi, Jaggali, Jambuvulu, Kolupulavandlu, Madiga, Madiga Dasu, Mang, Mang Garodi, Matangi, Samagara, Sindholu
• Group 3: Less Backward (Mala Sub-group)
  • This group includes 29 sub-castes, classified as the less backward among the three categories.
  • Sub-castes included:
    • Adi Dravida, Anamuk, Arayamala, Arvamala, Bariki, Byagara, Chalavadi, Yellamalavar, Holeya, Holeya Dasari, Madasi Kuruva, Mahar, Mala, Mala Dasari, Mala Dasu, Mala Hannai, Mala Jangam, Mala Masti, Mala Sale, Mala Sanyasi, Manne, Mundala, Samban, Yatala, Valluvan, Adi Andhra, Masti, Mitta Ayyalavar, Panchama

Proposed Quota Distribution Among SC Sub-Groups

• The Rajeev Ranjan Mishra Commission recommended the following reservation split within the Scheduled Caste (SC) quota (total 15%):
  • Group 1 – Most Backward (Relli sub-group): 1.0% reservation
  • Group 2 – Backward (Madiga sub-groups): 6.5% reservation
  • Group 3 – Relatively Less Backward (Mala sub-groups): 7.5% reservation
• Objective of Sub-Categorisation
  • The key aim of this reform is to promote integrated and equitable development among all SC sub-castes by:
    • Ensuring fair representation in education, employment, politics, and civil society
    • Addressing historical imbalances where dominant sub-castes benefited disproportionately
    • Enabling inclusive progress and preventing marginalisation of the most backward groups