Union Cabinet Approves Caste Census,Know its Historical Context

 The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the forthcoming nationwide population census. The census which was to commence in 2021 has been delayed and is expected to commence in 2025.

The  CCPA, also known as the Super Cabinet, held its meeting in New Delhi on 30 April 2025, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The decision of the central government comes in the background of the demand for a caste census in the country by various political parties. The state governments of Karnataka, Bihar, and Telangana have conducted their caste-level censuses in their states.

History of the Caste Census in India 

In 1872, the first census was conducted in India by the British non-synchronously in different parts of India. Lord Mayo was the Governor General of India at that time.

The first synchronous census was conducted in 1881 under the reign of Lord Rippon, and it has been held every 10 years since then till 1931.

Since 1881, caste has been included in the census enumeration.

The last caste enumeration took place in 1931.

After Independence and SECC

After Independence, the government of India dropped caste enumeration for the general public. However, the census of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes population has been conducted in every census since 1951.

In 2011, the government attempted to collect caste data through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), which aimed to assess the socio-economic conditions of the households along with their caste information.

• The government of India never released the caste data due to numerous anomalies in the data. According to the government, a large section of the population chose alternative ways to identify their caste. Some mentioned their sub-caste, while others identified their communities as castes.  
• In 2015, the NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, established a committee headed by Arvind Pangariya to classify caste data from the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census.
• However, the caste data was not released by the government.

Why is there a demand for a caste census?

Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution provide for reservation for the Other Backwards Class (OBC) in government jobs and educational institutions.

The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, amended Articles 15 and 16, providing for a 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of society in government jobs and educational institutions.

Welfare scheme needs accurate data.

The government has also launched several welfare schemes targeting these communities.

• The government has data on the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. 
• However, the government is relying on the 1931 caste data to make policies for the other backwards classes.
• The government needs up-to-date data on the OBC to make its welfare policies more effective and reach the deserving population of the country.
• The data will be very useful for poverty alleviation, ending unemployment, and equitable distribution of resources for the OBCs.

Political representation in Local bodies:

• In local bodies (panchayats and municipalities), there is a provision for reservation of OBCS under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. 
•  Due to the absence of accurate data, the number of seats needed to be reserved for the OBC has become controversial.

Census in India 

During British times, the government created an ad hoc administrative mechanism to conduct a census..

After independence, the Census Act 1948 was enacted to provide a plan for conducting a population census along with the duties and responsibilities of census officers.

The responsibility of conducting the census lies with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Since 1951, the census has been carried out every 10 years. The 2021 census has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current Registrar General and Census Commissioner - Mritunjay Kumar Narayan.

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