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5th June 2025 (11 Topics)

Caste Enumeration in India’s Next Census

Context

The Union Cabinet has recently approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the forthcoming Census exercise, scheduled after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will mark the first comprehensive caste count since the 1931 Census, providing critical data for policy-making and social justice initiatives.

Caste Enumeration in India’s Next Census: Key Developments and Implications

1. Introduction: Census of India Overview
  • The Census of India is the largest single source of a vast range of demographic, socio-economic, and housing data in the country.
  • Conducted every 10 years under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990.
  • The last completed Census was in 2011; the next was scheduled for 2021 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Census is conducted in two phases:
    • Phase 1: House listing and housing census
    • Phase 2: Population enumeration, including data on individuals
2. Significance of Caste Enumeration in the Census
  • The upcoming Census will include comprehensive caste enumeration, a major development after nearly a century (last full caste count was in 1931).
  • Previously, the Census only enumerated Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as separate categories.
  • Caste enumeration is crucial for:
    • Understanding the current social composition of the population
    • Designing and implementing affirmative action policies such as reservations in education and employment
    • Monitoring socio-economic disparities and planning welfare schemes for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other groups
    • Facilitating academic research and social justice advocacy
3. Background & Historical Context
  • The last comprehensive caste enumeration was during the British era in 1931. Since independence, caste data has been collected only for SCs and STs due to political and administrative reasons.
  • There has been longstanding demand from various political parties, social groups, and researchers to resume caste enumeration to better understand caste dynamics and improve policymaking.
  • The government’s decision to include caste in the 2027 Census aligns with these demands and aims to generate granular, reliable caste data.
4. Operational Aspects of the Upcoming Census
  • The Census will use 24 lakh enumeration blocks finalized for the 2021 exercise; these blocks will now be used for the 2027 Census.
  • Approximately 30 lakh enumerators will be deployed, including many government school teachers.
  • Training manuals are being updated to include instructions on caste enumeration, and special training will be provided on collecting caste data accurately.
  • A mobile application will be used for data collection, incorporating a new drop-down menu to record caste details alongside SC/ST categories.
  • Caste data will be collected in the second phase (population enumeration).
5. Challenges in Caste Enumeration
  • Accuracy and Authenticity:
    • Self-declared caste information may lead to misreporting, either intentionally or due to lack of awareness of official caste classifications.
    • Differentiating between sub-castes, clans, and communities accurately poses challenges.
  • Political Sensitivities:
    • Caste data can become a politically charged issue, potentially leading to identity politics and social tension.
    • There may be resistance or backlash from some groups fearing loss of privileges or changes in reservation policies.
  • Data Privacy and Confidentiality:
    • Ensuring the privacy of caste data is crucial to maintain public trust.
    • The government needs robust legal frameworks to prevent misuse or leakage of sensitive information.
  • Operational Complexity:
    • Training millions of enumerators to correctly identify and record caste data requires significant resources and planning.
    • Harmonizing caste categories with official lists (such as SC/ST/OBC lists) and local variations is a logistical challenge.
6. Potential Benefits and Importance
  • Social Justice:
    • Provides the government with updated data to identify deprived communities and target welfare programs more effectively.
    • Helps in assessing the socio-economic status of OBCs and other communities that currently lack detailed data.
  • Policy Formulation and Monitoring:
    • Enables evidence-based policymaking, with allocation of resources according to actual population distribution.
    • Assists in evaluating the impact of reservation and affirmative action policies, leading to better policy calibration.
  • Academic and Research Use:
    • Opens up new avenues for sociological and demographic research on caste dynamics and social stratification.
  • Strengthening Federal Governance:
    • Allows states to develop region-specific policies based on accurate caste demographics.
7. Way Forward: Recommendations
  • Legal and Institutional Framework:
    • Strengthen data protection laws specific to Census data.
    • Establish a statutory body or committee to oversee caste data usage and privacy.
  • Awareness and Sensitization:
    • Conduct nationwide awareness campaigns explaining the importance and confidentiality of caste data.
    • Engage civil society and community leaders to encourage accurate reporting.
  • Technical Measures:
    • Use technology to cross-verify caste data with existing government records (e.g., caste certificates, SC/ST lists).
    • Develop a standardized and updated caste classification system to reduce ambiguity.
  • Policy Transparency:
    • Make aggregated caste data publicly available for transparency and academic use, while ensuring individual anonymity.
  • Post-Census Utilization:
    • Use caste data to refine reservation policies and to launch new welfare schemes for underserved communities.
    • Monitor social mobility trends and inequalities to inform future development plans.

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