India’s next census to include caste data
In a landmark decision, India’s 2026 national census will, for the first time since Independence, include a detailed enumeration of castes and sub-castes, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced during a cabinet briefing on Wednesday.
The move, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, marks a significant policy shift and responds to years of political debate and opposition demands for a nationwide caste census, reports NDTV.
“This census will be conducted transparently,” Vaishnaw assured, addressing concerns while taking aim at the Congress party and other opposition groups.
He accused Congress of historically opposing caste enumeration, noting that post-Independence censuses under Congress-led governments excluded caste data.
“In 2010, Dr Manmohan Singh’s government formed a group to consider it, and most political parties supported it, but Congress opted for a survey instead,” he said, framing the opposition’s recent push for a caste census as a “political tool” for electoral gain.
Vaishnaw also criticised state-level caste surveys, such as Bihar’s October 2023 initiative, which he claimed were often politically motivated and sowed societal doubts.
Bihar, a state where over 63 per cent of the population belongs to extremely backward classes (EBCs) or backward classes (BCs), became the first to release such data, revealing 36 per cent EBCs, 27.1 per cent BCs, 19.7 per cent Scheduled Castes, and 1.7 per cent Scheduled Tribes.
The survey’s fallout intensified calls for a national caste census and prompted Bihar to implement special reservation quotas of up to 65 per cent.
The decision comes ahead of crucial Assembly elections in Bihar, where caste dynamics play a pivotal role.
The inclusion of caste data in the census could reshape policy, representation, and resource allocation, addressing long-standing demands for equitable opportunities for marginalised groups.
Why it matters
The caste census is more than a data exercise—it’s a potential game-changer for India’s social and political landscape. By quantifying the population of each caste and sub-caste, the government aims to better understand and address inequalities.
Critics warn that the process could deepen social divisions if not handled with care.
As India gears up for this census, all eyes are on how the data will influence future policies and electoral strategies in a nation where caste remains a defining factor.