Latest news with #Socio-EconomicandCasteCensus
News18
16-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Bats For Nationwide Caste Census Based On Telangana Model
Last Updated: The Chief Minister urged the Union government to take inspiration from the Telangana caste survey, calling it a model worth considering. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday called for a nationwide caste census, stating that it must go beyond just counting communities and include detailed data on individuals' social, economic, educational, employment, and political conditions. 'A nationwide campaign for census encompassing social, economic, educational, employment, and political aspects of each individual must be conducted," Siddaramaiah said, noting the need for the data to initiate social justice policies. The Chief Minister urged the Union government to take inspiration from the Telangana caste survey, calling it a model worth considering. 'Census should take place, taking Telangana state caste survey as a role model," he said. Siddaramaiah's remarks come amid renewed demands from opposition parties and several state governments for an updated caste-based census. The last full caste census in India was conducted in 1931. While limited data was gathered in the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) in 2011, its findings were not made public. 'India can never be a true democracy unless the majority who come from OBC, SC, ST and minority communities, that is the AHINDA communities, are not only counted, but also heard," he said. The session, which will continue on day two, is focusing on the caste census in light of the Centre's decision to include caste data in the upcoming national census. This gains importance as Rahul Gandhi, now the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has consistently pushed for a nationwide caste census. The Chief Minister has consistently positioned Karnataka as a progressive state in terms of affirmative action and welfare. His government recently accepted the recommendations of the state's Social and Educational Survey (also called the caste survey), conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. Based on its findings, the government increased reservations for certain communities, including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and restructured quotas for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). 'We are implementing the social justice model in Karnataka through data. This is the only way to ensure that development and benefits reach those who have been historically left out." He added that economic surveys alone do not offer a full picture of social inequality. 'We cannot make policy only on the basis of GDP or income levels. Caste, social backwardness and access to education and jobs must also be considered," he said. Siddaramaiah has also called upon like-minded states and political parties to build consensus for a national caste census, and to ensure that the data collected is used to frame inclusive policies that close the gap in access to opportunity. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Caste Census Key to Social Justice, Says Youth Welfare President Khalid Naveed
Mahabubnagar: Social activist Khalid Naveed, President of Youth Welfare Mahabubnagar, has welcomed the proposed national caste census by the central government as a crucial step towards ensuring social justice and equality in India. In a press statement, he emphasized that for decades, caste data collection has been limited to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, leaving Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other marginalized communities underrepresented in policymaking. 'The caste census will provide accurate socio-economic data, allowing the government to better target welfare schemes and reservations,' Naveed stated. He noted that existing programs often fail to reach the most disadvantaged due to intersecting inequalities of caste, gender, geography, and poverty. Following the release of Bihar's caste census in 2023, which revealed that OBCs and Extremely Backward Classes made up over 63% of the state's population, several states including Telangana initiated similar surveys. This created momentum for a nationwide caste census, now backed by the Central Government—a significant policy shift after 70 years. Naveed also referenced the 1980 Mandal Commission, which advocated for OBC reservations but lacked updated caste data. Similarly, the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census was never fully published, drawing criticism from scholars and activists. While critics argue the census might deepen caste divisions, Naveed stressed that a transparent and accurate caste enumeration would promote fair representation, help recalibrate reservation policies, and ensure that affirmative action reaches those who need it most.
Hans India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Census in J&K, Ladakh, Himachal, U'Khand in 2026, rest in 2027
New Delhi: Sixteen years after the last census in 2011, the government on Monday issued a notification for conducting India's 16th census which will include caste enumeration in 2027. The census will be carried out with a reference date of October 1, 2026 in the snow-bound areas like Ladakh and March 1, 2027 in the rest of the country, the notification said. "The reference date for the said census shall be 00.00 hours of the 1st day of March, 2027, except for the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand," it said. In respect of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir and the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date shall be 00:00 hours of the first day of October, 2026, it said. The massive exercise, which is expected to cost the government over Rs 13,000 crore to give population-related data from across the country, will be conducted by about 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors and around 1.3 lakh census functionaries armed with digital devices. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the preparation for the census with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, and other senior officials here on Sunday. In the upcoming census, caste enumeration will also be done, the first such exercise since Independence. The last comprehensive caste-based count was done by the Britishers between 1881 and 1931. Caste was excluded from all census operations conducted since Independence. The decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 30. "Considering all these circumstances, and to ensure that our social fabric does not come under political pressure, it has been decided that caste enumeration should be included in the main census instead of being conducted as a separate survey," an official statement had said. In 2010, then prime minister Manmohan Singh had assured the Lok Sabha that the matter of caste census would be considered in the cabinet. A group of ministers was formed to deliberate on this subject and majority of the political parties recommended conducting a caste census. However, the previous Congress-led government opted for a survey instead of a caste census, known as the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC).
Hans India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Centre notifies 2027 population census
New Delhi: Sixteen years after the last census in 2011, the government on Monday issued a notification for conducting India's 16th census which will include caste enumeration in 2027. The census will be carried out with a reference date of October 1, 2026 in the snow-bound areas like Ladakh and March 1, 2027 in the rest of the country, the notification said. "The reference date for the said census shall be 00.00 hours of the 1st day of March, 2027, except for the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand," it said. In respect of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir and the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date shall be 00:00 hours of the first day of October, 2026, it said. The massive exercise, which is expected to cost the government over Rs 13,000 crore to give population-related data from across the country, will be conducted by about 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors and around 1.3 lakh census functionaries armed with digital devices. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the preparation for the census with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, and other senior officials here on Sunday. In the upcoming census, caste enumeration will also be done, the first such exercise since Independence. The last comprehensive caste-based count was done by the Britishers between 1881 and 1931. Caste was excluded from all census operations conducted since Independence. The decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 30. "Considering all these circumstances, and to ensure that our social fabric does not come under political pressure, it has been decided that caste enumeration should be included in the main census instead of being conducted as a separate survey," an official statement had said. In 2010, then prime minister Manmohan Singh had assured the Lok Sabha that the matter of caste census would be considered in the cabinet. A group of ministers was formed to deliberate on this subject and majority of the political parties recommended conducting a caste census. However, the previous Congress-led government opted for a survey instead of a caste census, known as the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC).
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Census from March 2027: Caste enumeration to be part of exercise; early start in J&K, Uttarakhand
NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday announced that the next nationwide census will commence on March 1, 2027. However, in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand, the census process is expected to begin earlier, from October 2026. The nationwide census will also for the first time in over seven decades, include caste enumeration. The move marks a major policy shift, with the Centre saying that the decision was made to ensure transparency, national consistency, and to address growing demands for accurate caste data. Also read: What is caste census, and why does it matter - explained Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had confirmed the development during a Cabinet briefing on April 30, saying that the cabinet committee on political affairs had approved the inclusion of caste data in the main census. Vaishnaw further noted that while Article 246 of the Constitution lists census as a Union subject, states have taken varied approaches to caste-based surveys. 'Some states have conducted surveys transparently, but others have not. These inconsistencies have raised doubts and could disturb social harmony,' he said. The minister added that the new decision would ensure that the country's social fabric is protected from political misuse. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The upcoming caste census follows years of political debate and delayed decisions. The last national effort to collect caste-related data was through the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) in 2011 under the UPA government. However, that data was never fully published or utilised, drawing criticism from social activists and political parties alike. Caste enumeration in India was last comprehensively carried out under British rule between 1881 and 1931. Experts believe the renewed effort is crucial. 'A caste census is critical to uncover structural inequalities and design inclusive policies,' said Poonam Muttreja, executive director of the Population Foundation of India had said while speaking to PTI.
