1 week ago
Andhra Pradesh Restores 34% BC Reservation in Rural Bodies
The Andhra Pradesh government has brought back a 34% reservation for Backward Classes in rural local governments.
This means 34 out of every 100 relevant seats or offices will be reserved for BC candidates, according to the government order.
The rule applies to village, mandal and district-level local bodies.
It covers elected members as well as leaders such as sarpanches, presidents and chairpersons.
The earlier government had lowered the reservation to 24.15%.
The new order follows the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act and court orders.
Village elections are due from April 3, 2026, while the terms of two other local bodies end in September 2026.
The government also said properly formed rural local bodies are needed to receive grants under the 16th Finance Commission guidelines.
Andhra Pradesh has restored 34% reservation for Backward Classes in rural local-body seats and offices.
The reservation applies to gram panchayats, mandal praja parishads and zilla praja parishads.
The order covers members, sarpanches, presidents and chairpersons of these elected bodies.
The previous government had reduced BC reservation from 34% to 24.15%.
The government cited upcoming local elections and eligibility requirements for 16th Finance Commission grants.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government, through Special Chief Secretary Kantilal Dande, issued the order.
- What
- The government restored 34% reservation for Backward Classes in seats and offices in rural local bodies.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- The order was issued on Thursday; gram panchayat elections are due from April 3, 2026, and the terms of mandal and zilla parishads end on September 23 and 24, 2026.
- Why
- The government reviewed the reservation policy ahead of local elections and said duly constituted rural local bodies are required for eligibility for 16th Finance Commission grants.
Key facts
- Reservation restored
- 34% for Backward Classes
- Previous reservation
- 24.15%, according to the government order
- Covered institutions
- Gram panchayats, mandal praja parishads and zilla praja parishads
- Covered positions
- Members, sarpanches, mandal presidents and zilla chairpersons
- Government order
- GO-Ms-105
- Relevant law
- Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1994
- Gram panchayat election date
- Elections are due from April 3, 2026
- Finance requirement
- Duly constituted rural local bodies are required for eligibility for grants under 16th Finance Commission guidelines
Sources
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