Which Indian state pioneered the implementation of Scheduled Caste sub-categorization?

Telangana became the first Indian state to implement sub-categorization within the Scheduled Caste (Sreservation system, often called "reservation within reservation." According to the Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Act, 2025, the state has divided SCs into three groups: Group I (15 castes) receives 1% reservation, Group II (18 castes) receives 9%, and Group III (26 castes) receives 5% within the existing 15% SC quota. This policy aims to ensure more equitable distribution of benefits based on relative socioeconomic backwardness.