What is a Caste Census?
- A caste census records individuals’ caste identities during the national census.
- Helps understand the distribution and socio-economic status of caste groups.
- Aids in designing affirmative action, reservation policies, and targeted welfare schemes.
Historical Context
British Era (1881–1931):
- Caste enumeration was part of decadal censuses.
- Used to classify population by caste, religion, and occupation.
- Helped the British implement divide-and-rule policies.
Post-Independence (1951 onwards):
- 1951 Census: First census of independent India.
- Caste enumeration discontinued (except for SCs and STs).
- Aim: Avoid reinforcing caste divisions in a newly independent nation.
1961 Directive:
- Central government permitted states to conduct their own OBC surveys.
- State-specific OBC lists were compiled independently.
- No national caste enumeration for OBCs was conducted.
Mandal Commission (1979–80):
- Identified OBCs using 11 socio-educational indicators.
- Used 1931 Census data and limited field surveys (~1% of households).
- Estimated OBCs at 52% of the population.
- Recommended periodic reviews of reservation lists every 20 years.
- Emphasized reservations as temporary uplift tools, not permanent entitlements.
Recent Developments
- 2011 SECC (Socio-Economic and Caste Census):
- Last national-level attempt to collect caste and socio-economic data.
- Faced criticism due to data inconsistencies and lack of release of caste-specific data.
- Current Scenario:
- Rising political and social demand for updated caste data.
- Government has now approved caste enumeration in the upcoming national census.
- Seen as a move to inform policy-making and social justice frameworks.
Constitutional and Legal Constraints:
- Article 16(4): Reservation for “inadequately represented” backward classes in public employment.
- Indra Sawhney Case (1992):
- Upheld OBC reservations.
- Imposed a 50% ceiling on total reservations.
- Exceptions: Tamil Nadu (69%), EWS Quota (10%), raising questions on ceiling flexibility.
Key Issues Highlighted Over Time:
- No caste has been removed from OBC lists despite decades of benefits.
- Supreme Court in Ashok Kumar Thakur vs Union of India (2008) urged periodic reviews.
- System remains static – no “graduation” of advanced communities out of backward status.
Rohini Commission (2023) – Sub-categorization of OBCs:
- Found inequitable distribution of OBC reservation benefits.
- Politically dominant OBC groups captured most benefits.
- Recommended splitting the 27% OBC quota into sub-quotas for equitable access.
- Echoed LR Naik’s earlier suggestion in Mandal Commission for ‘Intermediate’ and ‘Depressed’ OBCs.
Challenges of Population-Proportional Reservations:
- Would require constitutional amendments or reinterpretation.
- Risk of undermining Article 14 (Right to Equality).
- Might entrench caste identities instead of reducing them.
- Could marginalize the remaining 15% general category, causing social friction.
Why a Caste Census Still Matters:
- Would update empirical data critical for social justice policy.
- Allows targeted and evidence-based revision of reservation lists.
- Can help:
- Exclude castes that have advanced.
- Include newly disadvantaged groups.
- Rebalance sub-quotas within communities.
Caste census is essential for data-driven, fair, and evolving policy on reservations. Must balance proportional representation with constitutional principles and long-term goal of a casteless society.
