Expert group on caste survey presents its report

The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG), appointed by the Telangana government to analyse the data of the caste survey, submitted its comprehensive report to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

The Expert Group, headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Sudarshan Reddy, presented its findings and the detailed analysis to the Chief Minister during a meeting held at the MCRHRD Institute here on Saturday (July 19). Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers and officials were present.

Mr. Revanth Reddy described the survey as ‘Telangana’s Mega Health Check-up’ and that the “Report is not just statistics but the foundation for the empowerment of the marginalised. It will also help shape government’s welfare policies,” he said.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to analyse urban-rural disparities highlighted by the report. He assured that the government would carefully consider the expert panel’s recommendations in its policy-making and would ensure that every deserving citizen benefits from welfare schemes. The details of the survey were already placed before the Legislative Assembly.

The Expert Group praised Telangana’s survey as scientific, authentic, and reliable, and a potential model for the rest of the country. The experts felt that the methodology adopted was thorough and exemplary. It recommended to use the data to fine-tune existing welfare schemes and design future policies focused on uplift of weaker sections, and bridging inequalities.

Telangana is the first State in the country to conduct such an extensive survey which was carried out in two phases. The first phase from November 6 to December 25, 2024 involved 1,03,889 enumerators and supervisors who meticulously gathered data from households across the State.

In the first phase, 96.9% of households were covered, with details from 1,12,36,849 families recorded within just 36 days. The second phase from February 16 to 28, 2025 allowed those who missed the initial enumeration to register their details at Mee Seva Centers, GHMC offices, MPDO offices, and on the official website.

According to the finalised data, the State has 1,15,71,457 households and the population surveyed was 3,55,50,759. Of this SC population is 61,91,294 (17.42%), ST population is 37,08,408 (10.43%), BC population is 2,00,37,668 (56.36%), while other castes are 56,13,389 (15.89%).

IEWG vice-chairman Kancha Ilaiah and members Shantha Sinha, Himanshu, Sukhdev Thorat, Nikhil Dey, Bhangya Bhukya, Purushotham Reddy, Jean Dreze, Thomas Piketty, Praveen Chakravarthy, and secretary Anudeep Durishetty were present.