SEEPC Report Highlights Early Affirmative Action in Hyderabad via Mulki Rules and Dalit Welfare

A recent report by the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEEPC) highlights historical affirmative action measures in Hyderabad State under the Nizams. The survey identifies the Mulki Rules, introduced in 1919, as an early form of affirmative action that benefited Backward Castes and non-elite Muslims by mandating fifteen years of continuous residence for eligibility in state employment and higher education. This mechanism effectively shielded local populations from bureaucratic dominance by officials from North India, prioritizing local access to state structures. Additionally, the report details specific welfare initiatives for Dalits, including the establishment of 185 Depressed Class schools. It also notes the constitution of the Depressed Classes Trust Board, which featured Dalit representation and operated with a budget of Rs 2.5 crore. These findings illustrate how historical policies in Hyderabad addressed social and educational disadvantages through local preference systems and targeted institutional support, marking significant early efforts in social justice and inclusive governance within the region.