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New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Panel to develop composite backwardness index for Telangana's sub-castes using survey data
HYDERABAD: In a major step toward evidence-based policymaking, the Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG) chaired by Justice B Sudarshan Reddy has decided to formulate a Composite Backwardness Index for each of Telangana's 243 sub-castes. The index will be based on data from the state's comprehensive Social, Education, Economic, Employment, Political, Caste Survey (SEEEPC), which covered 3.55 crore individuals. At its fourth meeting held on Thursday at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, the IEWG revealed that 73 sub-castes account for 96% of Telangana's population. These include 10 SC groups, seven ST groups, 45 BC groups and 11 OC groups. The index aims to provide a data-driven measure of each sub-caste's backwardness, drawing from 43 parameters under seven categories: social, education, living standards, occupation, income, movable & immovable assets and access to banking and finance. Panel to submit report soon The group confirmed that statistical and data analysis have been completed, and members reached consensus on the methodology, parameters, graphical representation and key findings of the Index. The next phase will involve drafting the report, which is expected to be submitted to the state government within a month. The final report will provide an ordinal ranking of each sub-caste's backwardness, as well as individual rankings across the seven parameter categories. The IEWG also recommended that the government develop a natural language interface powered by AI to make the anonymised SEEEPC dataset accessible to researchers for further analysis. It may be recalled that the state government had earlier conducted the SEEEPC survey, covering 3.55 crore individuals and collecting data across 75 fields for each person — spanning social, economic, educational, identity, occupational, and living conditions. The survey enumerated individuals across 243 sub-castes, with additional options for 'No Caste' (for those who chose not to disclose) and 'Others' (for those not listed in the enumeration manual).
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Expert group meets in Hyderabad to discuss framework for Telangana's SEEEPC survey
The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG), constituted to analyse and interpret the findings of the Telangana Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste Survey (SEEEPC) met for the third time in Hyderabad on Saturday under the chairmanship of Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy at the Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resource Development Institute (MCRHRDI) where discussions on the framework and structure of the report were held. Economists Jean Dreze and Sukhadeo Thorat, participated via video conference, while French economist Thomas Piketty submitted his inputs through email ahead of the meeting. During the deliberations, the experts reviewed the intervals of analysis and the framework for interpreting the extensive data collected in the SEEEPC Survey. Each survey indicator was closely examined, with experts working towards creating a framework to measure statistical disparities and differences between castes. Beyond the numbers, the group also highlighted the importance of understanding the cultural, social, political and historical contexts of each social group to achieve a comprehensive study of Telangana's society, said a press statement. The IEWG has suggested that the Telangana government initiate an AI-based Natural Language Interface. This tool would allow the larger public to access and analyse the survey data without compromising the confidentiality of individual information. The group will reconvene on May 22 in New Delhi to discuss the draft report, which will be presented by the Convenor incorporating inputs from all members.
