Caste Data In Centre's Census: How Is It Different From State Surveys? How Will It Help?

News18

30-04-2025

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Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "To ensure that our social fabric is not disturbed by politics, caste enumeration should be included in the census instead of surveys."
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday announced the Centre's decision to include caste data in the forthcoming census. The decision was taken at the meeting of the Central Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier today.
'Some states have conducted surveys to enumerate castes. While some states have done this well, some others conducted such surveys only from a political angle in a non-transparent way. To ensure that our social fabric is not disturbed by politics, caste enumeration should be included in the census instead of surveys," said Vaishnaw.
Caste census was one of the key planks of the Opposition's Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc going for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In 2022, Bihar, then under the INDIA, became the first state in independent India to successfully enumerate all castes. Following Bihar's suit, Congress-ruled Karnataka and Telangana have also undertaken the caste census.
The Congress on Wednesday claimed credit for the central government's decision to include a caste survey in the upcoming population census, stating that it has long been a demand of the party.
WHAT IS CASTE CENSUS?
Political Mobilisation: Parties aim to attract specific caste groups and rely on data to justify their demands for representation or reservations.
Equity and Justice: Advocates believe that knowing the real socio-economic conditions of various castes, especially OBCs and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), is crucial to achieve equality.
CASTE CENSUS BY CENTRE VS CASTE SURVEYS BY STAES
The Caste Census by the Centre and Caste Surveys by States differ primarily in authority, scope, legal backing, and political implications. Here's a clear comparison:
Centre's Caste Census
A caste census at the national level by the Central Government will be conducted specifically through the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and governed by the Census Act, 1948.
It will have a strong legal backing and will be applicable across the entire country.
A central caste census will offer a uniform and comprehensive dataset across states.
The Centre's census is legally binding and nationally standardised.
The caste census has significant legal and political implications, as it would likely influence nationwide reservation policies, welfare programs, and social justice measures. Being conducted under a central law, it will be recognised for policy formulation at the Union level.
State Caste Surveys
Caste surveys conducted by state governments are carried out using state administrative machinery and are limited in scope to that specific state.
State-led surveys function as administrative exercises to guide regional policymaking.
State caste surveys vary in terms of methodology, detail, and accuracy, depending on the resources and priorities of the individual state.
These surveys aim to capture detailed caste data within a single state, as seen recently in Bihar and Karnataka, but their findings are not standardised or comparable across states.
State caste surveys, while influential within a state, may face legal challenges regarding their jurisdiction or methodology.
THE WORRY
Critics claim it might reinforce caste identities and deepen societal divisions. Some worry it could lead to demands for expanding reservations, potentially disrupting existing social balances. There is also concern over the accuracy and politicization of such data.
CASTE SURVEYS BY STATES
In recent years, states such as Bihar and Karnataka have conducted their own caste surveys.
BIHAR CASTE SURVEY FINDINGS
The Bihar government released the data of the caste-based survey in 2023, what many said with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As per the caste survey report, among the total population size of 13,07,25,310, Bihar has 63 per cent people in Other Backward Class (OBC) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) category. The survey data has found Scheduled Caste (SC) constitute over 19 per cent of the state's population, while 1 per cent people are falling under Scheduled Tribes (ST). As per the report, OBC stood at 27.12%, EBC 36.01%, SC: 19.65%, ST: 1.68%, unreserved: 15.52%. The male to female ratio is 1000:953.
आज गांधी जयंती के शुभ अवसर पर बिहार में कराई गई जाति आधारित गणना के आंकड़े प्रकाशित कर दिए गए हैं। जाति आधारित गणना के कार्य में लगी हुई पूरी टीम को बहुत-बहुत बधाई !जाति आधारित गणना के लिए सर्वसम्मति से विधानमंडल में प्रस्ताव पारित किया गया था।…
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) October 2, 2023
KARNATAKA CASTE SURVEY DATA
In a recently approved report from the state cabinet, it has been revealed that during the Socio-Economic and Education Survey conducted in Karnataka in 2015, approximately 2 lakh people stated that they did not know their caste name. This census took place during the first tenure of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (2013-2018). Furthermore, 1,34,000 people reported having no caste, while 1,94,000 individuals were unaware of their caste name. According to a PTI report, the caste census presented to the Karnataka cabinet has suggested increasing the reservation for Backward Communities from the current 32 per cent to 51 per cent. According to government sources, the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, commonly referred to as the caste census, also indicated that the BC population constitutes 70 per cent. The report recommended that 51 per cent of reservations be allocated to BCs in state educational institutions.
The report was submitted to CM Siddaramaiah on February 29, 2024, by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) under Chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde. Dominant communities such as the Lingayats and Vokkaligas have expressed concerns over the survey's methodology and findings, fearing that the data may not accurately reflect their population sizes. ​ Siddaramaiah has indicated that the government intends to accept the report but has not specified when it will be made public.
​
TELANGANA CASTE SURVEY
Telangana conducted the Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, and Political Caste Survey 2024 from November 6 to early December 2024. The final report was submitted to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on February 2, 2025. Subsequently, on February 4, 2025, the report was presented in the Telangana Legislative Assembly.
The findings revealed that Backward Classes (BCs) constitute 56.33% of the state's population. Backward classes constitute up to 56.33% of the Telangana population, making the largest chunk in the state, according to the caste survey report. According to the report, Scheduled Castes (SC) account for 17.43% of the total population while Scheduled Tribes (ST) are 10.45% in the state. There are 15.79% Other Castes (OC) in Telangana, The Indian Express reported. The survey report has been tabled before a Cabinet sub-committee and will be presented before the Cabinet on February 4, followed by a discussion on the survey in the Assembly on the same day. As per the report, the population of Backward Classes (BC) in the state is 1,99,85,767, which also includes 35,76,588 Backward Classes Muslims, while the SC population stands at 61,84,319 and ST numbers are at 37,05,929.
WHEN IS INDIA'S NEXT CENSUS?
India conducts its official population census every 10 years—a process known as the decennial census. It is one of the largest administrative exercises in the world, covering every household in the country.
The last census was conducted in 2011. The next was scheduled originally in 2021. However, it was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent logistical challenges.
The next census is expected to begin in early 2025, with the data collection expected to go on till 2026.
Usually, the census is conducted in two phases: House-listing and housing census and population enumeration. It collects data on age, gender, literacy, religion, occupation, migration, etc.
Caste data, apart from SCs and STs, has not been collected since 1931 in the national census.
Based on the vision and direction ofShri @RahulGandhi Ji who first demanded a nation-wide Caste Census during his historic #BharatJodoYatra Telangana is the first State to conduct caste survey last year.This was the first in Independent #India, the last one being in 1931 by… pic.twitter.com/7dNABdwqM7
— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) April 30, 2025
CAN ALL BACKWARD CLASSES GET RESERVATION?
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As per a Supreme Court ruling in 1992, reservations for the backward class in government jobs and educational institutions cannot be more than 50 per cent.
The 50 per cent ceiling on reservations in jobs and educational institutions was endorsed by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney vs. Union of India case in 1992.
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Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
April 30, 2025, 18:38 IST
News explainers Caste Data In Centre's Census: How Is It Different From State Surveys? How Will It Help?