Announcement of Caste Census in India

Why in News? 

Recently, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs took a historic decision by approving the inclusion of caste-based enumeration in the upcoming census. This step is being seen as a significant move towards social justice.

What is Caste Census?

• Caste census means classifying the population of the country based on their caste identity and preparing its statistical record.
• It is not just a statistical process, but a powerful tool to understand the social structure and guide policy-making.
  • Census, in general, is the process of collecting detailed information related to the size, structure, age, gender, language, education, and economic activities of the population of a particular area.
  • In India, this process is conducted every ten years, known as the decennial census.
• The main objective of the caste census is to help the government know the social and economic status of different castes, their education, income, employment, and standard of living.
• This enables the government to take strong steps towards equality, inclusivity, and social justice.
• In India, the censuses so far have collected demographic and social data of all citizens, but after 1931, caste-based data was not formally recorded.
• For the first time in the history of independent India, a decision has been taken to restart caste-based census.
• The Government of India may start the census process from September 2025, in which caste-related information will also be collected.
• It will be a massive task that will take at least one year to complete.
• Caste-based data is expected to be available by late 2026 or early 2027.

History of Caste Census in India

• The concept of caste census in India has historically been an important medium of administrative structure and social control.
• During British rule, the population was classified into castes to simplify power management.
• The census process that began in 1872, took an organized and legal form in 1881, where castes were prominently mentioned.
• The 1931 census was the last such occasion in India when detailed caste data was collected.
• After this, in the 1941 census, castes were counted but the data was not compiled and published due to World War II.
• After independence, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Law Minister Dr. B. R. Ambedkar decided to stop caste-based enumeration to prevent caste division and hatred in society.
• Following this policy, from the 1951 census onwards, only Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) were mentioned. 
  • No separate data was collected for Other Backward Classes (OBC) or general castes.
• The Mandal Commission, formed in 1979, suggested that without proper data on the socio-economic condition of OBCs, reservation policies cannot be implemented effectively.
• In 1990, the recommendations of the Mandal Commission were implemented, after which the demand for caste data gained political momentum.
• In 2011, the central government conducted the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), considered the first comprehensive caste census of independent India. But its data was never made public.
  • In Maharashtra, while 494 castes were officially notified, the 2011 SECC recorded 4,28,677 castes, many of which were due to duplications, spelling variations, or colloquial usage.

Constitutional Validity Related to Caste Census

• The Indian Constitution considers social justice as a core principle.
• According to the Census Act, 1948, conducting the census every decade in India is an institutional process.
  • Under this Act, the personal data collected during the census is considered confidential.
  • It can only be used for statistical analysis.
  • The data collected under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) can be used for practical administrative purposes, such as determining eligibility for welfare schemes.
• Under Article 340, the central government has the power to form commissions to assess the condition of backward classes.
  • It was under this provision that the Mandal Commission was formed, which recommended reservation for OBCs.
• According to the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, census is a Union List subject, meaning only the Parliament has the power to make laws on it.
• Under Article 246, the central government can make rules for conducting the census. This task is usually carried out by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Article 16(4) empowers the state to ensure fair representation by granting reservations to socially and educationally backward groups affected by past discrimination.
  • The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 empowers the states to conduct state-level surveys and formulate local policies.
• Articles 330 and 332 clearly state that reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for SCs and STs should be based on their population share. Thus, without accurate population data, it is not possible to ensure fair representation for these groups.

Positive Aspects of Caste Census

• Accurate identification of social inequalities: Caste data helps to clearly understand which communities still lack access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. This makes it easier to identify the actual needy in policy-making. 
• Fair distribution of resources: When it is known which sections are most deprived, the allocation of government budgets and resources can be done accordingly. Many schemes so far have been distributed equally, but equal distribution in unequal situations deepens inequality. 
• Review of effectiveness of welfare schemes: At present, the evaluation of many welfare schemes is based on general classification. But a re-evaluation at the caste level can reveal which communities are deprived of benefits. 
• Strengthening the constitutional vision: Social justice is the soul of the Indian Constitution. It can be implemented fully only when the actual number, status, and needs of the deprived are clearly known. Caste census can become a decisive process in this direction, helping each section of society gain proper recognition.

Concerns related to Caste Census

• Revival of caste identity: Caste census may further highlight caste identities and boundaries in society. This may harm the feeling of social unity. While the Constitution inspires us to rise above caste, such enumeration may strengthen centuries-old divisions.
• Possibility of political misuse: A major concern is that this data may be used for vote-bank politics instead of public policy. Political parties may adopt polarization strategies based on caste data, leading to electoral gains.
• Difficulty in interpretation of data: Interpreting caste data in India is extremely complex due to its vast diversity. The 2011 SECC revealed over 46 lakh caste entries, showing high variation and duplication. In contrast, the 1931 Census had documented only about 4,000 distinct castes. Differences in spelling, pronunciation, and regional naming led to inflated counts. This shows the confusion and diversity in caste identification.
• Potential threat to national unity: In a diverse country like India, if each group starts demanding based on its population, it may increase competition and dissatisfaction among communities. Ultimately, this may affect national unity and integrity.