Historic Push for Caste Census Gains Momentum Amid Political and Social Backing

Dr M. Suresh Babu, President, Praja Science Vedika

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In a landmark decision set to redefine India's social and political landscape, the Union Government has announced that caste-based enumeration will be included in the upcoming national census.

The move has been welcomed across political and social spectrums, with experts and opposition leaders hailing it as a much-needed step toward data-driven social justice and equitable policymaking.

Why Caste Census, and Why Now?

Caste remains one of the most influential social structures in India, but comprehensive data on caste demographics has been missing for nearly a century. While the census has continued to collect data on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) since 1951, information on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other caste groups has not been officially documented. Experts argue that this data vacuum has hindered effective policymaking and the equitable distribution of resources and reservations.

"India's census already collects information on parameters like age, gender, education, religion, and profession," said a policy expert. "Adding a column for OBCs and other caste groups is a small administrative step but a giant leap toward fulfilling a constitutional mandate and correcting historical imbalances."

A Long-Pending Demand