Caste Census in India

Context

Census 2027 will include caste enumeration for the first time after Independence, following the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) in April 2025.

 Background

1. The 1931 Census was the last comprehensive enumeration of caste in British India.
2. After Independence, regular censuses continued to enumerate SCs and STs, while broader caste enumeration was discontinued, partly due to concerns over social fragmentation.
3. In 1961, the Union Government allowed states to conduct surveys to identify OBCs for welfare purposes.
4. The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 collected caste and socio-economic data separately from the regular Census, but its caste data was not officially released due to classification and data-quality issues.

 Key Features of Census 2027

1. Two-Phase Exercise:
   • Phase I: Houselisting and Housing Census — April–September 2026.
   • Phase II: Population Enumeration — February 2027, including caste enumeration.
2. Comprehensive Caste Enumeration: Caste data will cover all communities, beyond SCs and STs, and will be part of the regular Census.
3. Digital Census: India’s first digital Census will use mobile applications and the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) for data collection and monitoring.
4. Self-Enumeration: Citizens can submit their Census information online before physical enumeration.
5. Multilingual Platform: The Census application and self-enumeration portal will be available in 16 languages, including Hindi and English.
6. Caste Questionnaire: The Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India (ORGI) notified the second-phase questionnaire, including the caste question, in August 2026.
7. Legal Basis: The Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990; constitutionally, it is a Union subject (Entry 69, Union List under the Seventh Schedule).

Significance

1. Targeted welfare: Provides reliable data to better identify disadvantaged communities and target welfare schemes.
2. Improved reservation policy: Helps assess representation and effectiveness of affirmative-action measures.
3. Evidence-based planning: Enables better assessment of socio-economic gaps across communities and supports focused interventions.
4. Informed debate: Provides an official statistical basis for discussions on reservation, representation and social justice.

Major Challenges

1. Classification issues: Numerous caste names, sub-castes and regional variations make standardisation difficult.
2. Data accuracy: Self-reported identities may lead to errors and inconsistencies in enumeration.
3. Political sensitivity: Data may intensify debates over reservation, representation and resource allocation.
4. Historical comparability: Changes in caste identities and classification may limit comparison with older census data.
5. Data privacy: Digital enumeration requires strong privacy and cybersecurity safeguards.

Way Forward

1. Standardise Data: Adopt clear caste-classification rules to ensure accurate and comparable data.
2. Ensure Data Quality: Strengthen verification and quality checks to reduce errors and duplication.
3. Protect Privacy: Ensure strong data security and confidentiality during digital enumeration.
4. Promote Transparency: Publish reliable, appropriately aggregated data to support research and evidence-based policymaking.
5. Enable Inclusive Development: Combine caste data with education, income and occupation indicators to design more effective policies and strengthen social justice and national development.

FAQs

Q1. When was the last comprehensive caste census conducted in India?
Ans. The 1931 Census was the last census to collect and publish comprehensive caste-wise data.

Q2. Under which law is the Census conducted?
Ans. The Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990.

Q3. Is the Census a Union or State subject?
Ans. Census is a Union subject under Entry 69 of the Union List under the Seventh Schedule.