Hyderabad is currently at the center of a debate over the political and legal effects of Telangana’s new decision to implement a 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections. The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition challenging this decision on Monday. This move by the state government, made official through Government Order (G.O. No. 9) on September 26, has sparked discussions about the constitutional limits of affirmative action. Vanga Gopal Reddy, from Sircilla, filed the petition against the BC quota in the highest court.
The issue stems from the state’s use of the Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) survey, which showed that BCs make up 56.33% of Telangana’s population. Based on this, a commission recommended increasing the BC quota in local bodies to 42%, up from the previous 23%. This increase, however, exceeds the 50% reservation limit set by the Supreme Court in past rulings. In late September, the Telangana High Court questioned why G.O. No. 9 was issued so quickly, especially since the needed constitutional amendments are still waiting for approval from the Governor and the President. Despite this, the state has moved forward with the order, citing a need to restore democratic processes in rural areas.
The Supreme Court will now hear arguments on whether this move violates constitutional safeguards and could lead to unchecked quota expansions. This hearing will explore the limits of reservation policies and the role of data in shaping affirmative action.
The Telangana government argues that the SEEEPC survey justifies exceeding the 50% cap. Officials claim the increased quota is crucial for better BC representation in local governance. They also highlight the administrative delays due to postponed elections and inadequate representation.
In March 2025, the state Assembly passed bills to raise BC reservations in education, employment, and local bodies to 42%. By August, more bills were introduced to lift the 50% cap specifically for local body elections. These bills are still awaiting Presidential approval, adding more complexity to the situation.
The ruling party demands quick approval from the Centre and accuses opposition parties of blocking social justice reforms. Meanwhile, the BJP in the state accuses the government of using BC reservations to push for religion-based reservations for Muslims.
As this legal battle continues in Delhi, the Supreme Court’s decision will have major implications not only for Telangana but also for other states considering similar changes to reservation policies based on current caste demographics.
