Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Nakkala community faces ST certificate crisis in Adilabad
There is a group of people called the Nakkala community who used to move from place to place.
They live in a part of India called Telangana.
The government gives special papers called caste certificates to some groups to help them get education and other benefits.
Many Nakkala families are finding it very hard to get these papers.
Some brothers in the same family got different answers from the government.
One brother got the paper, but the other did not.
Without the paper, children may not get into special government schools.
Long ago, a British law called them 'criminal tribes,' which was unfair.
That law was removed in 1952, but the confusion about their status continues today.
The community wants the government to help them settle down, get houses, land, and education for their children.
The Nakkala community, known locally as Pittalollu, is struggling to obtain Scheduled Tribe (ST) caste certificates in Adilabad district.
Brothers Rathod Akash and Rathod Deepak received different outcomes: Akash holds an ST certificate while Deepak's application was rejected by Jainad revenue officials.
Officials reportedly asked Deepak to instead obtain a BC-A certificate under the Pardhi community, which he refused.
The community's status uncertainty traces back to the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, repealed in 1952, after which such groups became known as Denotified Tribes.
Jainad Tahsildar Atram Narayana said no ST certificates have been issued to Nakkala people in the last three years and he would seek clarification from the collector.
- Who
- The Nakkala community (Pittalollu) in Jainad, Adilabad district, including families like the Rathods, and officials such as Jainad Tahsildar Atram Narayana.
- What
- Struggle to obtain Scheduled Tribe (ST) caste certificates, affecting access to education, welfare schemes and electoral candidacy.
- When
- Current period; no ST certificates issued to the community in the last three years, with Deepak unable to contest the 2026 sarpanch elections.
- Where
- Jainad and Adilabad district in Telangana, India.
- Why
- Historical classification under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 and inconsistent issuance of certificates by revenue officials.
Community Perspective
Government/Official Perspective
ST certificate classification
Community Perspective
Nakkala families want ST certificates extended to their children, citing certificates issued to parents such as Rathod Ranjana in 2015.
Government/Official Perspective
Revenue officials rejected some applications and suggested BC-A classification under the Pardhi community; the Tahsildar said no certificates have been issued in the last three years.
Land and housing
Community Perspective
Families claim they cultivated podu land at Laxmipur but were evicted in 2002 without pattas, and want pattas or alternative land.
Government/Official Perspective
The articles record no official response to the land claims; 11 families recently received house pattas after occupying incomplete double-bedroom houses.
- Community
- Nakkala (also known as Pittalollu, Nakkalollu, Burkalollu, Paradollu)
- Location
- Jainad, Adilabad district, Telangana
- Issue
- Difficulty obtaining Scheduled Tribe (ST) caste certificates
- Historical law
- Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, repealed in 1952
- Current status
- No ST certificates issued to the community in the last three years
- Families
- 16 families, 100 members; 11 living in double-bedroom houses
- Key demands
- ST certificates, housing, land pattas and education access
- Official response
- Tahsildar Atram Narayana to seek clarification from the collector