The caste census has remained dormant for decades, limited to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In the aftermath of the Bihar caste census, the demand for a comprehensive national caste census has emerged as a major political issue. The current government, following pressure from across the political spectrum, has announced its intention to undertake a caste-based census. This move aims to assess the socioeconomic status of the Indian population in a caste-wise manner—a parameter enshrined in the Constitution for affirmative action. The timing is significant, as it reinforces the need for social justice and equality to prevail. It is the foremost duty of the government to ensure the delivery of these principles for sustainable progress and social upliftment.
A comprehensive caste census promises to illuminate persistent disparities in recruitment, education, health, nutrition, and social protection. Analysts point out that many public services and government schemes fail to reach the most marginalized communities due to intersecting disadvantages of caste, gender, geography, and economic status. Reliable data would provide policymakers with a renewed opportunity to refine affirmative action schemes, ensuring that benefits reach vulnerable and downtrodden sections, including marginalized caste groups. These affirmative schemes-ranging from reservations in government services, higher education, and civil services to land distribution and livelihood programs-must be effectively targeted at those in the most destitute conditions. Precise figures would help assess the effectiveness of implementation and resource distribution. For example, they could help determine the appropriate percentage of reservation for each caste group or evaluate whether reserved seats in Parliament and state legislatures reflect demographic realities, thereby strengthening grassroots representation.
Caste enumeration has a historical precedent in India. It was conducted by the colonial administration between 1881 and 1931, during which the British catalogued caste identities alongside religious and occupational categories to classify and control the population. In 1951, the newly sovereign Indian administration under Jawaharlal Nehru discontinued caste enumeration beyond the Scheduled categories, fearing that official recognition might entrench social divisions. By 1961, the Central Government permitted individual states to survey and identify Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for targeted welfare, yet a nationwide caste census remained absent.
Following an in-depth study of social stratification, the Mandal Commission in 1980 recommended reserving 27 percent of Government positions for the OBC category. This recommendation underscored the lack of reliable caste data. However, implementation relied on outdated or anecdotal estimates, which undermined the credibility of affirmative action. In 2011, after nearly three decades, the debate over collecting comprehensive caste data resurfaced. The United Progressive Alliance government undertook the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), recognizing it as an urgent issue of national importance. It was proposed that both economic indicators and social identity should be recorded accurately. However, findings of the SECC were not fully released triggering widespread criticism from scholars and activists who believed that access to granular data would enable more precise and equitable policymaking.
In 2023, Bihar’s landmark caste census further centralized the debate and highlighted the need for a national caste census. The Bihar findings revealed that OBCs and extremely Backward Classes together comprised more than 63 percent of the state’s population, In response, states such as Telangana and Karnataka also initiated caste surveys to recalibrate reservation quotas and improve welfare distribution. These state-level initiatives created a strong sense of urgency for a standardized nationwide caste enumeration.
The Central Government’s recent
endorsement of caste enumeration marks a pivotal policy shift after more than seventy years of hesitation.
Critics warn of potential pitfalls, arguing that caste enumeration may revive entrenched hierarchies or fuel political polarization. Some fear that identity politics could intensify as parties mobilize around caste-based demands. However, advocates contend that transparency and public access to data will help reduce distortions and allow civil society and researchers to hold the state accountable. Legal safeguards and robust data protection mechanisms are essential to prevent misuse of personal information for divisive purposes. A well-executed caste census could transform India’s commitment to social justice and constitutional equality from rhetoric into measurable outcomes. By exposing patterns of deprivation and inequality across the social spectrum, the exercise will empower decision-makers to allocate resources more equitably, strengthen democratic participation, and reaffirm India’s foundational promise of equality. The upcoming census may well become a turning point in the quest to build an inclusive society where dignity and opportunity are truly shared by all.
Altaf Mir
PhD Scholar,
Jamia Millia Islamia
