Backward Classes (BCs), other than Muslim minorities, make 46.25 per cent of Telangana’s total population of 3.70 crore, making them the largest social group in the state, revealed the caste survey conducted by the state planning department.
The survey results, submitted to the cabinet sub-committee headed by Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday, revealed that Scheduled Castes (SCs) account for 17.43 per cent, Scheduled Tribes (STs) 10.45 per cent, backward classes among Muslims constitute 10.08 per cent, Other Castes (OCs) 13.31 per cent, and OCs among Muslims 2.48 per cent.
In absolute numbers, the state’s SC population stands at 61,84,319, STs at 37,05,929, BCs (excluding Muslim minorities) at 1,64,09,179, BCs among Muslims at 35,76,588, and OCs among Muslims at 8,80,424. The total Muslim population in Telangana accounts for 12.56 per cent.
The survey, which covered 96.9 per cent of the population (3,54,77,554 individuals), left out around 16 lakh people (3.1 per cent) who were either unavailable or unwilling to participate. It also recorded a total of 1,15,78,457 households, of which 1,12,15,134 were surveyed.
Calling the report a “historic” achievement, Reddy stated that the findings would be presented before the Telangana Cabinet and a special session of the Legislative Assembly on February 4 for debate. He emphasised that the survey, a Congress election promise made by Rahul Gandhi, would facilitate data-driven policies in social, economic, educational, and political spheres, benefiting the most marginalised communities.
“This process and the report itself mark a landmark achievement in the social history of the country,” Reddy said.
Telangana currently provides reservations to backward Muslims under the BC category. The survey, conducted over 50 days beginning November 6, 2024, aims to enable targeted welfare measures and equitable opportunities for all sections of society.