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Telangana Caste Survey Introduces Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) Using 42 Parameters to Measure Relative Deprivation

Social IssuesPolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
21 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:42 parameters in CBI242 caste groups surveyedSCs/STs 3x more backwardBCs 2.7x more backward99% of STs more backward than avg11 parameters in Mandal Commission
Bodies:Government of TelanganaExpert Group of Telangana Caste Census
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What This Article Covers

1.Telangana's Expert Group developed a Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) using 42 parameters to measure the relative backwardness of 242 caste groups.

2.The study empirically shows SCs and STs are three times, and BCs 2.7 times, more backward than General Castes, with significant intra-caste variations.

3.The report debunks 'poverty is the only caste' by showing that even among equally poor households, caste-based gaps in education and opportunity persist.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Telangana's expert committee has created an empirical Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) using 42 parameters to measure caste-based deprivation, challenging the simplistic 'poverty is the only caste' argument. The study finds SCs/STs are 3 times more backward than General Castes, with access to English and private education being the biggest determinant of backwardness, not land ownership. This data-driven approach aims to shift social justice policies from a population-based to a backwardness-proportional resource allocation model.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) Parameters42 parameters
Caste Groups Surveyed242 (133 BCs, 59 SCs, 32 STs, 18 General)
Backwardness Ratio (vs General Castes)SCs/STs: 3x, BCs: 2.7x
Mandal Commission Parameters (1980)11 parameters
Population More Backward Than State AvgSTs 99%, SCs 97%, BCs 71%

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) Parameters: 42 parameters
  • ›Caste Groups Surveyed: 242 (133 BCs, 59 SCs, 32 STs, 18 General)
  • ›Target this Data: 42 parameters in Telangana's CBI vs 11 in Mandal Commission.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: The Expert Group constituted by the Government of Telangana for the Caste Census.
  • ›Target this Fact: SCs/STs are 3 times more backward than General Castes as per the CBI.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which state government constituted the Expert Group that developed the Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) mentioned in the news?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Telangana Caste Survey and Composite Backwardness Index (CBI):

1. The CBI uses 42 parameters to measure backwardness, compared to the 11 parameters used by the Mandal Commission.

2. The survey found that Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are 2.7 times more backward than the General Castes.

3. The biggest determinant of backwardness identified by the CBI is access to English and private education, not land ownership.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the Telangana Caste Survey report, what percentage of Scheduled Tribe (ST) population was found to be more backward than the state average?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary policy implication advocated by the Telangana Caste Survey report based on the Composite Backwardness Index (CBI)?

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