Caste census will reshape India’s social justice

Source: The post Caste census will reshape India’s social justice has been created, based on the article “Caste census announcement is an opportunity to fine-tune reservation policy” published in “Indian Express” on 6 May 2025. Caste census will reshape India’s social justice.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1- Society- Social justice

Context: The caste census announcement marks a turning point in India’s social justice policy. It ends the long neglect of counting OBCs officially. With a shift in the government’s stance, the focus now moves to how it will be conducted and what changes it may trigger in affirmative action.

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

Political Shift and Historical Oversight

1. Motivation Behind the Move: This is a political decision. It aims to counter Rahul Gandhi’s push for caste enumeration, which challenges the BJP’s non-savarna voter base.
2. Shared Responsibility for Delay: Delays are due to both major parties. The Vajpayee government dropped the caste census in 2000. Congress separated caste from the 2011 Census. The BJP government later withheld SECC data.
3. Who Deserves Credit: Historically, credit goes to leaders like Lohia, Karpoori Thakur, Madhu Limaye, and Sharad Yadav. Politically, Rahul Gandhi’s insistence made caste census a national issue and led to this policy shift. This is his first major success as Leader of the Opposition.

Ensuring Timely and Transparent Implementation

1. Integrating with the Main Census: The caste enumeration must be conducted as part of the regular decennial Census, not as a parallel or isolated survey. This prevents bureaucratic delays and ensures legitimacy.
2. Counting All Castes Without Exception: The exercise should include every caste, not just SCs, STs, and OBCs. Enumerating castes from the so-called “general” category is essential to understand the full landscape of caste-based privileges.
3. Keeping It Free from Political Interference: There should be no link between caste enumeration and the National Population Register (NPR). Tying the two together may derail the process through controversy or public resistance.

Expanding the Scope of Data Collection

1. Capturing Detailed Caste Identity: The new Census must record the exact jati of every person, not just their broad category (SC, ST, OBC, General). This is essential to uncover internal disparities within each category.
2. Including Socio-Economic Indicators: Key data points from the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC)—such as land ownership, enterprise, government job, and occupation—should be included in the upcoming Census. These variables provide a more accurate socio-economic profile of each caste.
3. Filling the Data Gaps Through Other Surveys: Some high-value data cannot be captured in the Census alone. This includes caste-wise details of ownership of top businesses, senior government positions, private sector leadership, elite educational access, and political roles. These gaps must be addressed through existing national surveys like the Economic Census, Agricultural Census, Labour Force Survey, and educational and company data.

Pushing Boundaries of Social Justice

1. Raising the Quota Limit: If OBCs are over 45% of the population, this may justify increasing the 27% quota. It would challenge the 50% ceiling, which was overlooked for EWS.
2. Including the Private Sector: If disparities are seen in private jobs and education, affirmative action must extend to the private sector and private institutions.

Using Data to Reform Affirmative Action

1. Refining OBC List and Quotas: Census data should help revise the OBC list, removing or adding jatis as required.
2. Sub-Quotas Within Categories: It will allow for sub-quotas within SC, ST, and OBC categories. Courts demand such evidence-based reform.
3. Revisiting EWS Quota: Data may question the basis for the 10% EWS quota, based on actual deprivation levels.

Question for practice:

Examine how the proposed caste census marks a shift in India’s social justice approach and its potential impact on affirmative action policies.