---
title: "AP issues G.O. on 33.33% BC quota for ULB elections"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/ap-ulg-elections-33-33-quota-yg0g1
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-20T06:30:40.447Z
modified: 2026-08-20T08:00:06.220Z
language: en-IN
---

# AP issues G.O. on 33.33% BC quota for ULB elections

Andhra Pradesh issued a government order instituting a 33.33% reservation for Backward Classes in urban local body elections, covering municipal corporations, municipalities and nagar panchayats. Elections for 100 of 123 ULBs were to be carried out, with court-pending bodies excluded.

## Key takeaways

- A government order (Rt. No. 1065) formalised a 33.33% BC reservation in ULB elections in Andhra Pradesh.
- Elections will be held for 100 of 123 ULBs; some bodies are excluded due to court cases or other legal issues.
- The move is grounded in constitutional provisions and Finance Commission guidelines, linking electoral readiness to grant funding.

## What Happened

Andhra Pradesh formalised a policy step by issuing Government Order Rt. No. 1065, dated August 19, 2026, to implement a 33.33% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The order covers Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats. Elections are planned for 100 of the state’s 123 ULBs, with those currently under court proceedings or other legal issues excluded from the immediate electoral process. The move aligns with promises made by the National Democratic Alliance during the 2024 general elections.

The government emphasised coordination among the MA&UD Department, the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, the State Election Commission, and other authorities to complete pre-election requirements, including electoral rolls and ward-related processes, and to notify reservations in accordance with law.

## Why It Matters

The order links the timing of ULB elections to the ability to secure Finance Commission grants under the 16th Finance Commission’s guidelines, which require a duly constituted Urban Local Body. It references constitutional provisions that govern municipal terms and the State Election Commission’s control over electoral rolls and local-body elections, framing the move as a step to maintain democratic governance and timely funding for ULBs.

## Background

The decision is framed as a continuation of a poll promise from the NDA in 2024. It relies on the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporations Act, 1994 and the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1965 for implementing the 33.33% BC reservation in urban local bodies. The government noted that municipal terms are five years per Article 243-U, and control over electoral processes rests with the State Election Commission under Articles 243-K and 243-ZA.

## Key Facts

- G.O. Rt. No. 1065 issued by the Andhra Pradesh government, dated August 19, 2026.
- Reservation percentage: 33.33% for Backward Classes in ULB elections.
- ULB coverage: Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Nagar Panchayats.
- Electoral plan: elections for 100 out of 123 ULBs; exclusions include bodies pending in court or legal issues.
- Legal basis cited: Articles 243-U, 243-K, 243-ZA; 16th Finance Commission guidelines; AP Municipal Corporations Act, 1994; AP Municipalities Act, 1965.
- Agency coordination: MA&UD Department, Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, State Election Commission.
- Publication timestamp: August 20, 2026, 11:41 am IST.

## What Happens Next

Pre-election preparations will proceed under the supervision of the MA&UD Department and the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, in coordination with the State Election Commission and other authorities. This includes finalising electoral rolls, ward delineations, and reservation notifications in line with statutory requirements, with the aim of conducting elections for eligible ULBs within the framework of law and the updated reservations policy.

---
Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/ap-ulg-elections-33-33-quota-yg0g1
Reported from: Multiple Sources