Caste census will make India more just and equal

Source: The post Caste census will make India more just and equal has been created, based on the article “Why India must get the Caste Census right” published in “The Hindu” on 12 May 2025. Caste census will make India more just and equal.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1-Society- Social justice

Context: The Modi government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the next Census marks a turning point in policymaking. This step addresses decades of data blindness, offering a pathway toward evidence-based governance and inclusive development.

For detailed information on Caste Census – Significance and Challenges read this article here

The Rationale for Caste Enumeration

1. From Caste Blindness to Data Visibility: Post-Independence India sought to abolish caste while pursuing social justice, creating a contradiction. The refusal to count caste in the Census upheld a policy of caste blindness, undermining affirmative action goals. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had called the omission of caste data “petty intelligence,” stressing its necessity for inclusion.
2. Legal and Constitutional Mandates: Though SCs and STs have been counted since 1951, OBCs remain excluded. However, constitutional amendments (73rd and 74th) mandate OBC reservations in local bodies. The introduction of EWS reservations further necessitates comprehensive caste data for fair implementation.
3. Inequity and Elite Capture: The absence of caste data has led to the entrenchment of upper castes and dominant OBCs in power structures. Data submitted to the Justice G. Rohini Commission revealed that 10 OBC castes cornered 25% of benefits, while 37% received none. Enumeration would help in sub-categorising groups and defining the creamy layer.

Past Lessons and Practical Models

1. The 2011 SECC Failure: The 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census ended in failure. It was conducted without the Census Act’s authority and lacked technical capacity. Confusing, open-ended questions led to an inflated and unusable caste count of 46 lakh entries.
2. Technical and Institutional Flaws: Enumerators lacked training and conflated gotras, sub-castes, and surnames. Conducted by ministries unfamiliar with sociological surveys, the effort lacked credibility. The data was never released, making the exercise a wasted opportunity.
3. Bihar’s Model of Success: In contrast, Bihar’s caste survey used a vetted list of 214 castes and one “Other Castes” category. It followed a focused, well-planned methodology, proving that a credible caste survey is entirely feasible.

Blueprint for a Credible Caste Census

1. Legal and Institutional Framework: Amend the Census Act, 1948, to explicitly mandate caste enumeration. Entrust the task solely to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner to avoid political interference and ensure professional execution.
2. State-Specific Caste Lists: Prepare draft caste lists for each State in consultation with governments, sociologists, and community leaders. Publish them online and invite public feedback before finalising.
3. Standardised and Structured Questionnaires: Use closed-option questions with dropdowns covering sub-caste, aliases, broader caste groups, and surnames. Assign unique digital codes to prevent confusion between similar caste names.
4. Enumerator Training: Conduct region-specific training sessions using mock examples and clear dos and don’ts. This will help enumerators accurately record local caste details and reduce errors.
5. Use of Digital Tools: Provide handheld devices to enumerators preloaded with verified caste lists. Restrict data entry to predefined options to prevent manual entry errors.
6. Representative Staffing: Deploy enumerators from diverse backgrounds in areas where they have no personal or community conflicts of interest. This will enhance neutrality and trust.
7. Independent Oversight Mechanism: Set up district-level audit committees to monitor fieldwork, verify data samples, and ensure quality control across regions.
8. Participatory Questionnaire Design: Engage experts and communities in the questionnaire design process to capture the full complexity of caste identities and prevent misclassification.
9. Pilot Testing in Multiple States: Conduct pilot surveys in socially and geographically diverse states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam. Use findings to refine methodology before nationwide implementation.

Conclusion:

Every Census since 1951 has counted nearly 2,000 SC/ST communities. Completing the count for the remaining 4,000-odd OBC and upper caste groups is feasible and overdue. The upcoming Census is an opportunity to correct a historic data gap and move toward a more just India.

Question for practice:

Examine how caste enumeration can contribute to evidence-based policymaking and social justice in India.