CENSUS: ECONOMY

CENSUS: ECONOMY

NEWS: Cabinet decides to include caste count in next Census

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

The Union Cabinet has approved caste enumeration in the upcoming digital Census, marking a historic move to collect comprehensive caste data for evidence-based policy-making. This aims to address socio-economic inequalities, refine reservation policies, and improve targeted governance, though concerns remain about political misuse and social division.

 

 

 

1. Recent Decision by the Government

  • The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming Census exercise.
  • This marks a significant policy shift, as caste data beyond SC/ST categories have not been officially collected since British rule.

2. Historical Background of Caste Enumeration

  • The last full caste-based census was conducted in 1931 during British India, which recorded over 4,147 distinct castes.
  • In 1941, although caste data was collected, it was not published due to the disruption caused by World War II.
  • After Independence, only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) were enumerated in India’s decennial Census.
  • In 1961, the Union Government permitted states to conduct their own OBC surveys, leading to inconsistencies in methodology.
  • The 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) aimed to gather socio-economic data, but caste data from it was never fully released due to concerns about quality and classification.

3. Constitutional and Legal Basis

  • Census as a Union Subject:
  • Under Article 246 and Seventh Schedule, the Census falls under the Union List, meaning only the central government has the authority to conduct it uniformly across the country.
  • Census Act, 1948:
  • Provides the legal framework for conducting population censuses in India.
  • Details the responsibilities, procedures, and penalties for census operations.

4. Key Features of the Upcoming Caste-Based Census

  • Digital Mode:
  • The next Census will be fully digital, with individuals able to submit responses through a mobile application.
  • Inclusion of Caste Column:
  • A new column for caste identification will be introduced.
  • A drop-down menu with a caste code directory will be available for easy and standardized selection.
  • This approach ensures uniformity and reduces manual entry errors or biases.

5. Significance of Caste Enumeration

  • Data-Driven Governance:
  • Enables evidence-based policy formulation.
  • Helps tailor reservation policies, welfare schemes, and educational/job benefits more precisely.
  • Evaluation of Social Equity:
  • Will shed light on economic disparities between and within caste groups.
  • Supports the design of targeted development programs for disadvantaged communities.
  • Supports Gender Reforms:
  • Will aid in implementing 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies by combining gender and caste data.
  • Judicial Endorsement:
  • The Indra Sawhney case (1992) emphasized that the determination of a group’s backwardness should be based on data and objective evaluation, reinforcing the need for updated caste statistics.

6. Concerns and Challenges Associated with Caste Enumeration

  • Political Exploitation Risk:
  • Critics fear that data could be used to manipulate electoral politics and caste-based vote banks.
  • Past state-level caste surveys have raised concerns about lack of transparency and political motives.
  • Potential to Reinforce Casteism:
  • Re-identifying individuals by caste may reinvigorate caste consciousness, leading to further social stratification.
  • Could exacerbate tensions over reservation demands and identity politics.
  • Methodological and Implementation Challenges:
  • Ensuring accurate and honest self-reporting of caste without manipulation or inflation remains a challenge.
  • Scientific and sociological validation of caste classification is necessary to avoid overlapping and duplication.

7. Way Forward and Conclusion

  • The inclusion of caste enumeration in the Census is a landmark socio-political decision.
  • If implemented carefully, it can lead to targeted affirmative action, greater transparency, and data-backed social reforms.
  • However, it must be accompanied by robust safeguards, neutral execution, and strict adherence to scientific methods to avoid misuse.
  • Its impact on governance, social cohesion, and electoral dynamics will be closely observed in the coming years.

 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/caste-enumeration-to-be-part-of-next-census-union-minister-ashwini-vaishnaw/article69509835.ece