DECODING DIVERSITY: WHY INDIA'S UPCOMING CASTE CENSUS MATTERS MORE THAN EVER

Since 1951, only Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) were counted in the census, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) were identified through state surveys starting a decade later in 1961.

- 

AIl castes were enumerated during census exercises carried out in British India between 1881 and 1931, but at the time of the first census of independent India in 1951, the then government decided not to count castes any more except for scheduled castes and tribes.

A decade later in 1961, the central government asked states to conduct their own surveys and prepare state-specific lists of OBCs if they wished so.

A decade later in 1961, the central government asked states to conduct their own surveys and prepare statespecific lists of OBCs if they wished so.

Over six decades later now and after demands from several quarters and various parties, the government has now decided to include caste enumeration in the next nationwide census.

The last nationwide caste enumeration took place in 2011 under Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) in a bid to gather detailed information about the socio-economic status of households and individuals, including their caste.

Here is a look at history, politics, and recent developments

WHAT IS A CASTE CENSUS?

The Census is a population survey that takes place every 10 years. It has been done 15 times in India, with the first one in 1872 during British rule under Viceroy Lord Mayo. That first census in 1872 was the first complete count of the population.

Since 1949, the Census has been carried out by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. All Censuses since 1951 have been done under the Census of India Act, 1948, which was passed before the Indian Constitution came into effect. The most recent Census was held in 2011, and the next one was planned for 2021 but got delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.