Telangana BC Commission sets March deadline for caste-wise student data
The data is being collected to ensure that the scholarships and seats are allocated to the backward class students on time
By - Newsmeter Network
Telangana BC Commission seeks caste-wise student data across schools, colleges from education depts
Hyderabad: Telangana Backward Classes Commission has set a March 2026 deadline to collect the caste-wise student data across the state.
The data is being collected to ensure that the scholarships and seats are allocated to the backward class students on time.
This exercise has been initiated by the BC Commission chairman, G Niranjan, along with the director Dr E Naveen Nicholas, for school education and State Council of Higher Education Secretary Prof Sriram Venkatesh.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
The Commission expressed serious concern over existing delays in data acquisition, stressing that this information is the backbone of future welfare policies. The Secretary of the State Council of Higher Education confirmed that caste-related information will be mandatorily collected during admissions starting this year and in all entrance examinations for the upcoming academic year. Government officials explained that the data will be used to pinpoint specific castes within the BC category that have high dropout rates or low enrollment, allowing for targeted financial and academic support. All departments, including Intermediate and Health Sciences (KNRUHS), have committed to meeting the March deadline for data submission.
The Road to Data-Driven Education
This initiative is a critical extension of the Telangana Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey, which was launched by the Congress-led government in late 2024.
Following an election promise by the Congress party, the Telangana Assembly passed a resolution in February 2024 to conduct a comprehensive caste census. The broader household survey, conducted between November 2024 and early 2025, revealed that Backward Classes constitute 56.33% of the state's population.
While the 2024-2025 survey provided a macro-view of the state's demographics, the BC Commission noted that granular, department-specific data was needed to address educational disparities. Historically, many BC sub-castes remained "invisible" in official records, leading to an unequal distribution of scholarships and seats. Supporting the government’s plan to transition from blanket welfare to "data-driven governance," ensuring that the most marginalized groups within the BC category are the primary beneficiaries of new Indiramma houses and Young India Integrated Schools.
With the March deadline approaching, the Commission aims to finalize a blueprint that will ensure no student is left behind due to their socio-economic background, said G Niranjan, chairman of the Telangana Backward Class Commission.
