Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Weighs BC Reservations Using New Data
Andhra Pradesh is deciding how many seats in local elections should be set aside for Backward Classes, or BCs.
A special commission studied the population and gave the government its report.
It estimated that about 50 out of every 100 people in the state are BCs.
The commission found different BC shares in rural and urban areas.
People could check information through Swarna Gramam and Swarna Wards and report mistakes.
Government departments also checked the information.
The Supreme Court says reservations need up-to-date population information and a process called the Triple Test.
The Cabinet is expected to make a decision using the commission’s findings.
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is considering BC reservations in local body elections.
A special commission led by retired IAS officer Rajiv Ranjan Mishra submitted its report to the government on 14 August 2026.
The commission reported an estimated state population of 52,746,589, including 26,594,418 BCs, or 50.42 per cent.
It estimated the BC population share at 48.84 per cent in rural areas and 54.36 per cent in urban areas.
Supreme Court rulings require current population data and completion of the Triple Test before BC reservations are set for local bodies.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is considering BC reservations; the commission was led by Rajiv Ranjan Mishra.
- What
- The Cabinet is considering BC reservations in local body elections using a commission’s population findings.
- When
- The commission submitted its report on 14 August 2026, after beginning work on 23 March.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, including its rural and urban local bodies.
- Why
- Supreme Court rulings require current population data and completion of the Triple Test before BC reservations are provided in local bodies.
Reservations based on commission findings
Reservations subject to legal requirements
Basis for setting BC reservations
Reservations based on commission findings
The Cabinet is expected to consider reservations using the commission’s verified population findings, which put BCs at 50.42 per cent of Andhra Pradesh’s population.
Reservations subject to legal requirements
Supreme Court rulings require current population data and completion of the Triple Test; if the test is not completed, seats are treated as general, except seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population.
- Estimated Andhra Pradesh population
- 52,746,589
- Estimated BC population
- 26,594,418
- BC share statewide
- 50.42 per cent
- BC share in rural areas
- 48.84 per cent
- BC share in urban areas
- 54.36 per cent
- Report submitted
- 14 August 2026
- Commission chair
- Retired IAS officer Rajiv Ranjan Mishra