India is all set to conduct its first official caste census since independence, marking a major shift in national policy. The Centre recently notified that the decennial census will begin in October 2026 from the Union Territory of Ladakh and roll out across the rest of India from March 2027. For the first time since 1931, the census will include comprehensive caste enumeration, extending beyond Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to include Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other social groups.
While some hail it as a much-needed step for evidence-based policymaking and social justice, others raise concerns about its political motivations and potential consequences. This blog explores the history, significance, and debate surrounding the caste census.
What Is a Caste Census?
A caste census is the systematic recording of individuals’ caste identities during a national population census. In a country like India, where caste continues to influence access to education, employment, healthcare, and political representation, such data can offer critical insights into the distribution and socio-economic status of various caste groups.
This data is essential for shaping inclusive policies, reviewing the effectiveness of reservations, and ensuring fair allocation of government resources. Until now, most of these decisions have relied on outdated figures or state-level surveys with limited credibility.
Historical Background: A Long Gap
Caste was a regular feature in British India’s decennial censuses from 1881 to 1931. The 1941 census was conducted but its detailed caste data was not published due to World War II.
Post-independence, the 1951 census dropped the caste enumeration except for SCs and STs. This decision, led by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, aimed to avoid reinforcing caste divisions in a newly unified nation.
In 1961, the central government permitted states to conduct their own surveys and compile state-specific lists of OBCs, if they wished. However, no national-level caste census took place until the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), which collected data but never published the caste figures due to accuracy and classification concerns.
Why Is It Happening Now?
Growing demands from several caste groups, political mobilization, and the push for better-targeted welfare programs have reignited the call for updated caste data.
In recent years, states like Bihar, Karnataka, and Telangana have conducted their own caste surveys. Bihar’s 2023 survey found that OBCs and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) constitute more than 63% of its population. However, such state surveys often lack uniformity and cannot be compared across states.
The Centre’s move to include caste in the upcoming census is a response to these pressures, and aims to create a credible, centralized, and transparent national database.
Legal and Constitutional Framework
The Census is governed by the Census Act of 1948 and the Census Rules of 1990. It is a Union subject under Entry 69 of the Union List in Article 246 of the Indian Constitution.
The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CC) is empowered to design the census format, including adding questions on caste, without requiring a change in the law. Moreover, Article 340 mandates the formation of commissions to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes, making accurate caste data essential for policy formation.
Technology and Modern Methods
The upcoming census will be conducted using a hybrid model—traditional pen-and-paper along with a mobile application to digitally record data. This is intended to improve accuracy, speed up processing, and reduce manual errors.
But digital data collection also raises questions of data security and privacy, especially in rural and low-literacy areas. Concerns include unauthorized data use, misuse of caste identity, and risks of data breaches.
Why Caste Data Matters
1. Targeted Welfare Policies: Updated caste data can help in designing effective schemes for education, healthcare, and employment for marginalized groups.
2. Reservation Review: With accurate numbers, reservation quotas can be reassessed to ensure fair distribution.
3. Evidence-Based Policy: Better data enables more accurate planning and resource allocation.
4. OBC Sub-Categorization: Helps address inequalities within the OBC group. For example, the Rohini Commission formed in 2017 to study OBC sub-categorization has yet to submit its final report due to lack of caste-wise data.
5. Legal Validity: The Supreme Court has ruled that caste is a ‘relevant’ and sometimes even ‘dominant’ criterion for defining backwardness.
Challenges and Criticisms
1. Accuracy Issues: Self-reporting of caste, lack of training among enumerators, and regional dialects can lead to spelling mistakes or false entries. In 2011 SECC, data was rendered unusable due to such errors.
2. Inconsistent Classification: Different states have varying OBC lists. A caste recognized in one state may not be in another, e.g., Jats in Haryana vs. Jats in Uttar Pradesh.
3. Political Sensitivity: Caste enumeration may spark agitations or political demands for inclusion in reservation categories, as seen in the Gujjar movement in Rajasthan.
4. Social Division: Critics argue that renewed emphasis on caste could deepen social divisions and fuel identity politics.
5. Data Misuse: The digital nature of data raises concerns over surveillance, misuse, and breach of sensitive information.
Way Forward: What Needs to Be Done
1. Consultative Process: The RG&CC should engage sociologists, anthropologists, policymakers, and public representatives to create a clear and credible enumeration framework.
2. Caste Directory: A draft list of castes, with standardized nomenclature across states, should be published for public feedback before finalization.
3. Enumerator Training: Proper training must be given to field staff to avoid duplication, spelling errors, and data manipulation.
4. Use of Technology: Tools like AI and Big Data Analytics can be used to cross-verify entries, ensure accuracy, and streamline classification.
5. Transparency: The government should commit to publishing the data in a usable format, with necessary anonymization to protect privacy.
Conclusion: Historic Move or Political Gamble?
The decision to include caste enumeration in the 2026–27 Census is historic. For the first time in almost a century, India will have updated, nationwide caste data. This opens the door to more equitable policymaking and evidence-backed governance.
But the move is also politically charged. As India heads toward the 2029 general elections, the timing raises questions about whether the census is being used as a tool for electoral mobilization.
Ultimately, whether this proves to be a transformative step for social justice or a political gamble will depend on how transparently, fairly, and accurately the exercise is carried out. With proper execution, it has the potential to become a landmark in India’s journey toward inclusive development.