In a landmark decision, the Union government on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration will be included in the upcoming national census. The government emphasised that the exercise will be conducted in a "transparent" and methodical manner.
The announcement marks a significant shift in policy, as the inclusion of caste data in the national census has long been a matter of debate. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking on the Cabinet’s decisions, stated that while individual states have undertaken caste-based surveys, the authority to conduct a nationwide census lies solely with the central government.
He added that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has formally resolved to incorporate caste enumeration into the forthcoming census.
Historical Context and Demand for Caste Data
The last time broader caste data was collected by the central government was during the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) in 2011. While this survey aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of caste demographics in India, its results were never officially released. Concerns over data accuracy and consistency prevented the findings from being formally adopted for policy use.
Nonetheless, the demand for a full caste census has remained strong, particularly from opposition parties. The Congress party, for instance, has consistently called for caste enumeration to help address social inequities and fine-tune reservation policies.
Several opposition leaders welcomed the Centre’s new decision, saying it could provide the data needed to support or restructure reservations and welfare schemes for various caste groups.
What Is a Caste Census?
A caste census is a population-level survey that collects data about the caste composition of citizens. It includes key information such as the size and distribution of caste groups, their socio-economic conditions, education levels, and other relevant indicators. The objective is to obtain a clearer picture of how caste affects opportunities, access to services, and quality of life.
Such detailed data helps policymakers design more effective and inclusive strategies for development, particularly in areas such as public employment, education, healthcare access, and welfare delivery. It also enables the government to assess which communities have benefited from affirmative action programs and which groups remain marginalised.
Caste data is collected alongside other demographic details, allowing a multi-dimensional view of citizens’ socio-economic positions. This helps refine decisions related to policy planning and resource allocation across communities.
Caste Enumeration in India: A Historical Overview
Since India’s independence, every decennial Census—from 1951 to 2011—has collected and published data on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). However, other caste groups, such as the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), have not been officially enumerated in these censuses.
The last comprehensive caste-based enumeration took place in 1931, during British colonial rule. After independence, caste enumeration was discontinued, except for SCs and STs. The SECC in 2011 attempted to revive broader caste data collection, but the final data was not released.
According to a previous Hindustan Times report, caste enumeration was conducted in every British Census from 1881 to 1931. Post-1931, this practice ceased in independent India. The report also noted demographic changes over time, with the SC-ST population rising from 21.54 per cent in the 1971 Census to 25.26 per cent in 2011.
This increase has been linked to higher fertility rates among economically disadvantaged groups, particularly in regions with lower income levels.
By including caste enumeration in the next census, the Centre has opened the door to data-driven policymaking aimed at more equitable development. The decision could have far-reaching implications for social justice policies, especially with ongoing demands for expanded reservations and better representation of backward communities.
As the country prepares for this critical data-gathering exercise, all eyes will be on how effectively and transparently the government carries it out—ensuring that it leads to actionable insights and fairer governance for all sections of society.
Also Read: Cabinet approves caste census in population survey
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