Telangana’s Survey of 3.54 crore people: The story so far

As many as 1,12,15,134 families in Telangana were covered under the Socio, Caste, Economic, Employment and Political Survey (Caste Survey-2024) conducted in 2024. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

From November 2024, 3.54 crore people in Telangana were surveyed to determine their Social, Economical, Education, Employment, Political and Caste statuses. Over 50 days, enumerators visited doo-to-door to collect information in forms containing 57 questions (75 data sets) for the Socio, Caste, Economic, Employment and Political Survey (Caste Survey-2024). The survey also had ‘No Caste’ and ‘No Religion’ categories.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy made a statement on the survey results in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (February 4, 2025). 

The Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues said that the caste census was last conducted in 1931 and the general population census had details on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes but not of Backward Classes (BC). 

Soon after the Chief Minister announced the caste composition of the 3.54 crore people, Congress Ministers asserted how the government ensured ‘Resolution to Report’ of such massive exercise within a year.

How would the survey data be used?

The Chief Minister said that the survey was conducted with an aim to prepare an accurate database pertaining to various castes, the Backward Classes in particular, so that they could enjoy the benefits of development and welfare schemes. 

Regardless of whether the Centre permits enhanced reservation for the BCs, the Telangana government decided to provide 42% seats in the ensuing Local Body polls to them, he said. He has also hinted at extending benefits of the enhanced reservation for BC communities in employment and education sectors. 

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that the survey data will be used in formulation of policies for the welfare of SCs, STs, BCs and other weaker sections. 

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said, “With the survey now completed, the Telangana government aims to use this data for effective policymaking. The survey marks a landmark initiative in data-driven governance, ensuring equitable development and representation for all communities.”

One year from taking the decision:

It was on February 4, 2024 that Telangana Cabinet resolved to conduct the caste survey. The decision received the consent of the State Legislature on February 16, 2024. On October 19, 2024, a Cabinet sub-committee headed by Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy was formed to supervise the survey. Telangana State Planning Department was appointed as the nodal agency for the survey. Modalities of the caste censuses conducted in Karnataka and Bihar were studied.

How was it conducted?

94,261 enumerators were deployed with a supervisor for every 10 enumerators

150 homes were categorised as an Enumeration Block with an enumerator assigned for each block

Enumerators paid a visit to the homes in the Enumeration Block assigned to them, collected details of head of the family and registered the house from November 6 to 8

Enumerators visited listed houses to collect details in forms from November 9 to December 25

Each form had 57 questions (75 data fields) to get details on Social, Caste, Economic, Educational, Politics of the respondents

76,000 data entry operators were recruited to digitise the responses from November 11 to December 25 (36 days)

Number of people/families surveyed

Total number of people covered in the survey: 3,54,75,554

Number of families listed: 1,15,71,457

Number of families covered: 1,12,15,134 (96.9%)

Number of families covered in rural areas: 66,99,602

Number of families covered in urban areas: 45,15,532

Number of families not covered: 3,56,323

Key findings as announced by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in the Assembly

Total number of people covered in the survey: 3,54,75,554

Backward Classes (BC) in Telangana, including BCs in Muslims: 56.33% 

BCs other than Muslims: 1,64,09,179 (46.25%)

BCs in Muslims: 35,76,588 (10.08%)

Scheduled Castes: 61, 84,319 (17.43%)

Scheduled Tribes: 37,05,929 (10.45%)

Other Castes (OC) other than OCs in Muslims:  47,21,115 (13.31%)

OCs in Muslims: 8,80,424 (2.48%)

Other Castes (OCs) including 2.48% OCs in Muslims: 56,01,539 (15.79%)

Muslim minority in total: 44,57,012 (12.56%)

Has the report been tabled?

The Chief Minister on Tuesday (February 4, 2025) announced only the caste composition of the 3.54 crore people surveyed. He said that the State government is ready to table three volumes of the survey report containing operative portions like methodology, resources used and others after taking legal consent. “The fourth volume cannot, however, be shared as it contains data of individuals due to data privacy restrictions,” he said in the special session of the Legislative Assembly.