Government approves caste census: What is it and why it matters - Explained

NEW DELHI: Caste enumeration was a regular feature of census exercises during British rule from 1881 to 1931. However, with the first census of independent India in 1951, the government chose to discontinue the practice, except for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

By 1961, the central government permitted states to conduct their own surveys and compile state-specific lists of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), if they wished.

More than six decades later, amid growing political and social demands, the government has now approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming nationwide census.

The last attempt at caste data collection at a national level took place in 2011 through the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), intended to assess the socio-economic condition of households alongside caste information.

What is caste census?

A caste census involves systematically recording individuals’ caste identities during a national census. In India, where caste influences social, economic, and political life, such data can offer valuable insights into the distribution and socio-economic status of various caste groups. This information can help shape policies related to affirmative action and social justice.

Historical context

• British India (1881–1931): The British administration included caste in decadal censuses to categorise the population by caste, religion, and occupation.
• Post-independence (1951): The newly independent Indian government, led by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, stopped caste enumeration to avoid reinforcing social divisions.
• 1961 directive: The central government allowed states to compile OBC lists based on their own surveys, but no national caste census was conducted.

How it became a political issue

• Mandal Commission (1980): The recommendation for 27% OBC reservation brought caste data into sharp political focus. The absence of updated caste figures made implementation difficult and contentious.
• SECC 2011: Though this UPA-era effort collected caste data, the findings were never fully released or utilised, prompting criticism.
• State-level surveys: In recent years, states like Bihar, Telangana, and Karnataka conducted their own caste surveys to guide welfare schemes and reservations. Bihar's 2023 survey found that OBCs and Extremely Backward Classes made up more than 63% of its population.

Why caste census matters

Beyond statistics, the caste census has deep social and political implications.

According to activists, the data could help redesign affirmative action policies , improve representation, and address entrenched inequalities.

“Much of access to essential services in India—education, healthcare, nutrition, and social protection—is shaped by structural inequalities of caste, region, religion, and economic status. A caste census is critical to uncover these intersectional disparities and to design policies and programs that are truly equitable and inclusive,” Poonam Muttreja, executive director, population foundation of India told news agency PTI.

While some view the caste census as necessary to uplift marginalised communities, others argue it may reinforce caste divisions.

What next?

The decision marks a major shift after more than 70 years of hesitation. However, details on how the data will be collected, categorised, and applied are yet to be clarified.

The move is expected to significantly influence governance, electoral politics, and India's broader battle against inequality. A timeline for the census exercise has not been announced.