Caste Census to Be Included in National Census, Centre Announces Amid Heated Political Debate
In a landmark move, the Centre has decided to include caste census in the upcoming national census, marking a major policy shift amid intensifying political discourse over caste-based surveys.
The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the inclusion of caste data in the next census during a high-level meeting on Wednesday.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the decision at a press briefing, stating, “The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has decided today that caste enumeration should be included in the forthcoming census.”
He also criticized various state-led caste surveys, calling them “unscientific,” and accused opposition parties of using the issue for political mileage.
The Centre’s announcement comes after several states, including Bihar and Karnataka, conducted or published their own caste surveys. Bihar’s data revealed that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) form 63.13% of its population, while Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) accounted for 19.65% and 1.68% respectively.
In Karnataka, the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey identified 1,351 castes and sub-castes among nearly six crore residents, with 91 sub-groups among Lingayats and 49 among Vokkaligas.
The Andhra Pradesh government also began a similar survey in January to create a comprehensive caste-based database.
The decision has reignited debate on the role of caste in policymaking. While the Centre positioned the move as a step toward structured social planning, critics argue it could deepen identity politics.
Sources within the government indicated that the Centre aims to bring uniformity and scientific rigor to caste data collection, unlike the fragmented state-led efforts.
This will be the first time caste data is officially recorded in a decennial census since 1931, barring the enumeration of SCs and STs. Past attempts, including a Socio-Economic and Caste Census in 2011, were limited in scope and methodology.
The census, originally scheduled for 2021 but delayed due to the pandemic, will likely take place post-general elections. The inclusion of caste data is expected to influence social welfare programs, reservations, and electoral strategies across the board.
Vaishnaw emphasized, “This is a step toward more inclusive and informed policy formulation based on credible data.”
