A caste survey by Telangana's state planning department found that Backward Classes (BCs), excluding Muslim minorities, make up 46.25% of the state's total population of 3.70 crore. This makes them the largest social group in Telangana.

According to the survey results, which were presented on Sunday to the cabinet subcommittee led by Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, 17.43% of Muslims belong to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), 10.45% to the Scheduled Tribes (STs), 10.08% to the backward classes, 13.31% to Other Castes (OCs), and 2.48 per cent to OCs. In Telangana, the Scheduled Caste (SC) population is 61,84,319, while the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population stands at 37,05,929. Among the Backward Classes (BCs), 1,64,09,179 people belong to non-Muslim communities, while 35,76,588 belong to the Muslim community. Additionally, there are 8,80,424 people classified as Other Communities (OCs) among Muslims. Overall, Muslims make up 12.56% of Telangana's total population.

The survey included 96.9% of the population, covering 3,54,77,554 individuals. However, around 16 lakh people (3.1%) were not included because they were either unavailable or unwilling to participate. The survey also recorded a total of 1,15,78,457 households, out of which 1,12,15,134 were successfully surveyed. Reddy referred to the report as a “historic” accomplishment and said the findings would be discussed on February 4 at a special session of the Legislative Assembly and before the Telangana Cabinet. He emphasised that the survey, which Rahul Gandhi had promised during the Congress election, would help implement data-driven policies in the political, social, economic and educational domains, which would help the most marginalised people.

“This process and the report itself mark a landmark achievement in the social history of the country,” Reddy said. Telangana currently offers reservations to backward Muslims under the BC (Backward Classes) category. A survey, which started on November 6, 2024, and will last for 50 days, aims to gather information to ensure that welfare measures and opportunities are fairly provided to all groups in society.