The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday, April 17, issued an ordinance notifying the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes for government jobs and education. The ordinance provides a framework to classify Scheduled Castes into three sub-groups so that disparities within the community and access to government schemes can be dealt with.
As per the ordinance (Ordinance No 2 of 2025) , twelve sub-castes, including the Chandala, Paki, Relli and Dome communities, are placed in Group 1 (most backward) and will receive 1% reservation.
Group 2 has 18 sub-castes like Chamar, Madiga, Sindhola and Matangi and will have 6.5% reservation.
Group 3 comprises 29 castes of the Mala Group classified as `less backward’, including 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 will receive 7.5% reservation.
“The main objective of this ordinance is to ensure the integrated and equal advancement of all Scheduled Caste communities in society,” Social Welfare Minister Dr Dola Veeranjaneya Swamy said.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led state government in November 2024 set up a one-man commission led by retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, which recommended the sub-classification.
Following public feedback from the 26 districts in the state, Ranjan Mishra, submitted a comprehensive report on March 10 this year.