Telangana’s Big Reservation Plan: Can It Copy Tamil Nadu’s Success?

April 6, 2025 |  Hyderabad, Telangana

Imagine you’re in a classroom with 100 seats, but only 50 can be reserved for certain groups—like students from rural areas or lower-income families. That’s been the rule in India for years. Now, Telangana wants to reserve 67 seats instead, and it’s looking at Tamil Nadu, a state that’s already reserving 69 seats, for inspiration. Why? Because many people in Telangana—especially from Backward Classes (BC)—still don’t get a fair shot at jobs or education. But breaking this 50-seat rule isn’t easy. Let’s unpack how Telangana might pull it off, step by step, and what Tamil Nadu’s story teaches us.

What’s Happening in Telangana?

On March 17, 2025, Telangana’s leaders passed two big laws. They said, “We’re giving 42% of government jobs and college seats to Backward Classes, 15% to Scheduled Castes (SC), and 10% to Scheduled Tribes (ST).” Add that up, and it’s 67%—way over the Supreme Court’s 50% limit, set back in 1992 to make sure everyone gets a chance, not just reserved groups. Telangana’s Chief Minister, A. Revanth Reddy, argues it’s fair because a 2024 survey showed most people in the state—56% BCs, 17% SCs, 10% STs—face tough odds. For example, BCs make up over half the population but hold just a quarter of government jobs.

The problem? Courts could strike this down unless Telangana finds a shield. That’s where Tamil Nadu comes in—it’s been breaking the 50% rule since 1990 and getting away with it. How? Let’s dive into Tamil Nadu’s trick and see how Telangana can copy it.

Tamil Nadu’s Winning Strategy: A Simple Breakdown

Tamil Nadu reserves 69% of its seats—50% for BCs and Most Backward Classes (MBCs), 18% for SCs, and 1% for STs. Back in the 1990s, when the Supreme Court said “50% max,” Tamil Nadu didn’t back down. Here’s what they did:

1. Made a Strong Law: In 1993, Tamil Nadu’s leader, J. Jayalalithaa, got the state assembly to pass a law locking in the 69% quota. They said, “Our state’s different—87% of our people are backward, so we need this.”
2. Teamed Up Politically: Jayalalithaa didn’t go it alone. She got all major parties, like the DMK, to agree. They marched to Delhi together, showing the central government it wasn’t just her idea—it was Tamil Nadu’s idea.
3. Hid It in the Constitution: They asked the central government to put this law in a special part of India’s Constitution called the Ninth Schedule. Think of it like a safe box—laws in there used to be untouchable by courts. In 1994, Parliament agreed, passing the 76th Amendment, and the President signed off. Safe!
4. Kept Proving It: Tamil Nadu didn’t stop there. They used surveys and studies to show why 69% made sense—like how most of their people couldn’t climb the ladder without help. Even when courts got stricter in 2007 (saying Ninth Schedule laws can be checked if they break basic rules), Tamil Nadu’s quota survived because it had solid backing.

How Telangana Can Follow Tamil Nadu’s Lead

Telangana’s starting with a good hand—its 2024 caste survey is like a report card showing who’s struggling. But copying Tamil Nadu isn’t just pressing “copy-paste.” Here’s how they can do it, explained simply:

Step 1: Build a Rock-Solid Law

Telangana’s already passed two laws in 2025—one for jobs and schools, another for local elections. These say, “67% is ours.” To make them stick, they need to lean on the survey—like how it shows BCs earn ₹1,27,000 a year on average, while richer groups earn ₹2,32,000. That gap screams “unfair!” They should also double-check the survey’s numbers—make sure it’s clear and honest—so courts can’t poke holes in it. Maharashtra tried a big quota in 2021 but lost because their data was messy. Telangana can’t afford that.

Step 2: Get Everyone on Board

Tamil Nadu won because all parties said “yes.” Telangana’s Congress government needs to convince rivals like the BRS and BJP. The BRS likes BC welfare—they even visited Tamil Nadu in 2024 to learn—so they might join. The BJP’s trickier, but if Telangana says, “This helps poor people, like your EWS quota,” they might listen. A big group trip to Delhi, like Tamil Nadu’s in 1994, could show the central government: “This is what Telangana wants.”

Step 3: Lock It in the Ninth Schedule

Here’s the big move: ask the central government to change the Constitution and put Telangana’s laws in the Ninth Schedule. It’s like asking for a VIP pass. Telangana’s 8 Congress MPs (out of 17) can push this in Parliament. They could point to the 2019 EWS quota—10% extra for the poor, beyond 50%—and say, “If that’s okay, so is this.” If the BJP sees votes in it (2029 elections aren’t far), they might say yes.

Step 4: Be Ready for Court Fights

The Ninth Schedule isn’t a magic shield anymore. Since 2007, courts can cancel laws there if they mess with India’s basic rules—like fairness. Telangana could get ahead by asking the Supreme Court for advice first (under Article 143), like, “Is 67% cool with you?” They could also tweak the plan—say, save some BC seats for the poorest families—to make it harder to call unfair. Tamil Nadu didn’t need this in 1994, but times have changed.

Step 5: Win the People’s Support

Tamil Nadu’s people loved the quota because it felt like their fight. Telangana can do the same. Tell everyone: “BCs are 56% of us but stuck at 25% of jobs—this fixes that.” Use TV, rallies, even social media to spread the word. But 15% of Telangana—richer groups like Reddys and Kammas—might grumble. Offer them something—like free training or college help—so they don’t feel left out. Tamil Nadu learned this trick after some protests in 1990.

Step 6: Learn from Mistakes

Other states tried and failed. Andhra Pradesh’s Muslim quota got trashed in 2010 because they didn’t prove it right. Haryana’s Jat quota flopped in 2017 for the same reason. Telangana’s survey is a plus, but they can’t get sloppy. They should also set up a team to check if the quota works over time—Tamil Nadu found some groups got ahead while others didn’t, and they’re still fixing that.

Why It’s Not a Slam Dunk

This isn’t easy. Courts have been tough lately—Bihar’s 65% quota got killed in 2024, and Karnataka’s 71% is stuck. The BJP in Delhi might say no unless Telangana makes it worth their while. And with 15% of people outside the quota (more than Tamil Nadu’s 3%), some might protest. Telangana needs to play smart—strong facts, big support, and a plan for everyone.

What It Means for India

India’s arguing about reservations more than ever. The 2025 Census delay has people asking, “Who’s really backward?” If Telangana wins, it could be a role model—states like Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka might try too. It might even force India to rethink the 50% rule. As of today, Telangana’s not just fighting for itself—it’s testing how far fairness can stretch in a country still split by caste.