What happened: Andhra Pradesh’s planned alternative for tribal youth employment and a 2027 deadline
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the Andhra Pradesh government is working on an alternative mechanism to protect employment opportunities for tribal youth after the Supreme Court struck down G.O. No. 3. Naidu also set a 2027 deadline to ensure that every tribal family in Andhra Pradesh has access to safe drinking water and housing.
Background and earlier position: G.O. No. 3 and its Supreme Court invalidation
G.O. No. 3 was issued by the Andhra Pradesh government in 2000 and had reserved 100% of teacher posts in Scheduled Areas for local tribal candidates. The Supreme Court struck down G.O. No. 3 in 2020, which created concerns among tribal communities about loss of safeguards for tribal employment.
What changed now: a legally sustainable alternative plus tribal development and skills
Naidu stated that the Andhra Pradesh government is exploring a legally sustainable alternative to safeguard employment for tribal youth while addressing continuing concerns of tribal communities, including protests demanding restoration of safeguards. Alongside employment-protection efforts, Naidu described ongoing tribal welfare work and new targets for tribal development.