| Date | November 6, 2024 – December 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Telangana, India |
| Participants | 94,863 enumerators, 9,628 supervisors |
| Outcome | Covered 96.9% of households, guiding welfare policies |
The Telangana 2024 Social Educational Employment Economic Caste Survey (SEEEPC) was a state-wide initiative by the Government of Telangana to gather detailed data on caste, education, employment, income, and political engagement. Launched on November 6, 2024, it surveyed 96.9% of households, approximately 1.12 million, to inform policies for marginalized groups such as Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. Released on February 3, 2025, the findings showed Backward Classes comprising 56.33% of the population, shaping discussions on social equity and reservations.
The SEEEPC survey was authorized by the Telangana Legislative Assembly on February 16, 2024, following a Council of Ministers' decision on February 4, 2024. [1] Driven by the Indian National Congress-led government's commitment to social justice, the survey aimed to address gaps in caste-based data since the 2011 Census of India. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy hailed it as a transformative step, potentially influencing national demographic studies. [2]
The initiative sought to create a robust dataset to support targeted welfare programs, focusing on socio-economic and political inclusion for Telangana's 35.4 million residents.
The survey commenced with household visits starting November 6, 2024, inaugurated by Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) office. [1] Data collection, intensified from November 9, 2024, concluded within 50 days, reaching 96.9% of households. [3]
Challenges included 103,000 inaccessible homes, 168,000 reluctant households, and 84,137 incorrectly classified residences. Districts like Jangaon and Mulugu achieved full coverage, while GHMC reached 65%. [4]
Announced on February 3, 2025, the survey's results, submitted to a Cabinet sub-committee, detailed Telangana's demographic composition: [2]
| Category | Percentage | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Backward Classes (BC) | 56.33% | 19,985,767 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 17.43% | 6,184,319 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 10.45% | 3,705,929 |
| Other Castes (OC) | 15.79% | 4,421,115 |
| Muslim Population | 12.56% | 4,457,012 |
| BC Muslims | 10.08% | 3,576,588 |
| OC Muslims | 2.48% | — |
The data, gathered voluntarily and confidentially, spanned 75 fields, offering a granular view of socio-economic conditions. [5]
Telangana Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy described the survey as a landmark study, unmatched in rigor since India's independence. [3] An 11-member expert panel, chaired by former Supreme Court Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy, was tasked with analyzing the data to recommend policies. [5]
The results are poised to expand reservation quotas in education, employment, and politics, potentially exceeding the 50% limit, as pushed by Chief Minister Reddy. [2] The survey's approach has fueled calls for a nationwide caste census, positioning Telangana as a model. [6]
The survey's rapid execution, covering 841,000 GHMC households by November 17, 2024, earned widespread notice. [4] It advanced Congress's social justice agenda, though some opposition figures were critiqued for relying on outdated statistics. [3] The Telangana Legislative Assembly highlighted the survey's policy potential before adjourning on February 5, 2025. [3]
