Context: The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has approved caste enumeration census as part of the upcoming Population Census, reversing its 2021 stance.
About the Caste Census in India
What Is a Caste Census?
- Systematic collection of data on caste identities of individuals during a national census.
- Provides socio‑demographic insights essential for affirmative action and social justice planning.
Legal and Constitutional Backing
- No specific provision mandates caste enumeration, but permitted under Article 340 for identifying backward classes.
- Census is a Union subject under Entry 69 of the Union List (Seventh Schedule) per Article 246.
Historical Context & Origin
- First conducted in British India from 1881 to 1931.
- Independent India (1951 onwards) excluded caste enumeration except for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- 2011 SECC attempted caste data collection, but data remains unpublished.
Need for a Caste Census in India
- Data‑Driven Affirmative Action: Accurate OBC population data is lacking; Mandal Commission estimated 52% OBCs without empirical backing. Example: Bihar’s 2023 caste survey revealed OBC+EBC population at 63%.
- Reservation Rationalisation: Helps in quota restructuring and sub‑categorisation within OBCs for equitable benefits.
- Social Justice Planning: Enables targeted health, education, and livelihood schemes for marginalized groups.
- Women’s Political Reservation: Census data needed for delimitation to operationalize women’s reservation in legislatures.
- Constitutional Mandate (Article 15(4)): Allows special provisions for backward classes, requiring clear identification.
Challenges to Conducting a Caste Census
- Enumeration Complexity: Multiple castes/sub‑castes and overlapping categories complicate classification.
- Lack of Standardised Lists: Central and state OBC lists differ, making aggregation inconsistent.
- Political Manipulation: Caste data can fuel vote‑bank politics, risking social polarization.
- Data Sensitivity & Accuracy: Self‑declaration may lead to false reporting or exaggeration.
- Risk of Deepening Caste Identities: Critics argue it may reinforce caste consciousness.
Way Ahead
- Scientific Categorisation: Build consensus on standardised classification of castes and sub‑castes.
- Transparent Methodology: Use digital tools and trained enumerators for accuracy and security.
- Safeguard Against Misuse: Ensure data privacy and restrict caste data usage to policy and welfare.
- Post‑Census Action Plan: Publish findings, consult stakeholders, and integrate data into policy design.
- Constitutional Validation: Quota revisions based on caste census must undergo judicial and parliamentary scrutiny.
Conclusion
The approved caste census marks a major policy shift aimed at correcting historical data gaps. While it promises greater social justice, its success depends on methodological integrity and non‑political usage. If executed transparently, it can redefine India’s affirmative action roadmap for the next generation.
