New reservations based on Dedicated Commission recommendations; rotation system to apply from first ordinary elections
Hyderabad, November 22, 2025 – The Telangana Government has issued comprehensive guidelines on reservations in Gram Panchayat elections following recommendations from a Dedicated Commission and in compliance with Supreme Court orders.
The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (MZAD) Department issued G.O.Ms. No.46 dated November 22, 2025, superseding earlier orders and establishing a clear framework for reservations in upcoming Gram Panchayat elections.
Background and Legal Framework
The order follows several key developments:
- Supreme Court judgment in W.P (Civil) No.980 of 2019 directing the state to set up a Dedicated Commission to conduct empirical inquiry into backwardness quota in Gram Panchayats
- Telangana Panchayat Raj Act 2 of 2025 (dated April 1, 2025)
- Dedicated Commission report submitted on November 20, 2025
- Recommendations from the Director, Panchayat Raj & Rural Employment, Hyderabad
Supreme Court Directives
The Supreme Court had issued specific orders:
- To set up a dedicated Commission to conduct contemporaneous rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness quota in Gram Panchayats within the State
- To specify the proportion of reservation required to be provisioned Gram Panchayat-wise in light of recommendations of the Commission, so as not to fall foul of over breadth
- Reservation shall not exceed aggregate of 50 percent of the total seats reserved in favor of SCs/STs/OBCs taken together
Key Provisions of New Guidelines
Rotation System: As per Telangana Panchayat Raj Act 2018 as amended, the reservation of seats/offices shall be by rotation commencing from the first ordinary elections held under the Act. Ensuing elections shall be treated as second ordinary elections under the Act.
Fresh Start for New Gram Panchayats: Elections to Gram Panchayats/wards notified newly after 2019 elections shall be treated as first ordinary elections under the Act. While making reservations to such new Sarpanches/Ward Members, any reservations made in earlier elections shall be ignored and shall be treated as afresh.
Procedure for Reservations
Ward Members and Sarpanches: As per sections 9 and 17 of TPR Act 2018, the seats and offices of Ward Member & Sarpanch are to be reserved to the ST, SC, BC and Women members.
Scheduled Areas: Section 255 of TSPR Act 2018 stipulates that reservation of seats in Scheduled Areas to every Gram Panchayat & Mandal Praja Parishad shall be in proportion to the population of the communities in that Gram Panchayat or Mandal Praja Parishad.
- Reservation for Scheduled Tribes shall not be less than one-half of the total number of seats
- All seats of Sarpanches of Gram Panchayats and Presidents of Mandals Praja Parishads shall be reserved for the Scheduled Tribes
100% Scheduled Tribe Villages: In villages where 100% population is Scheduled Tribes, all the wards in every Gram Panchayat of such villages shall be filled up by persons belonging to Scheduled Tribes only.
Data Sources for Reservations
The government order specifies the data to be used:
For ST, SC, BC reservations in Ward Members:
- SEEEPC survey 2024 (Socio-Economic and Educational Enumeration of Population Census)
For Sarpanch reservations:
- ST: SEEEPC survey 2024
- SC: SEEEPC survey 2024
- BC: SEEEPC survey 2024 Population
Competent Authorities
- Ward Members: Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) is the competent authority to make reservations to ST, SC and BC in respect of Wards (Direct Election as per Section 9)
- Sarpanch: Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) is the competent authority to reserve offices (Direct Election as per Section 17)
Dedicated Commission Recommendations
The Dedicated Commission appointed by the government has submitted its report recommending the number of Ward Members and Sarpanches to be reserved to Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.
Sections 9, 17, 146, 147, 175 and 176 of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act were amended to make reservations as per the recommendations of the Dedicated Commission.
Supersession of Earlier Orders
In view of these comprehensive guidelines, earlier guidelines issued in G.O. 1st read above have been superseded. The new procedure for fixation of reservations to Sarpanch & Ward Member are issued for the ensuing Gram Panchayat Elections.
This landmark order aims to ensure fair and proportionate representation of all communities in Gram Panchayat governance while adhering to constitutional provisions and Supreme Court directives.
