New Delhi: In a groundbreaking move, the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned the inclusion of caste enumeration in India’s forthcoming national census. Announced on April 30, 2025, this decision marks a historic shift, as it will be the first time since India’s independence that a comprehensive caste count is integrated into the decennial census. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the move as a “historic decision” that underscores the government’s commitment to social justice, aiming to uplift economically and socially disadvantaged groups.
Why Caste Enumeration Matters
The decision to include caste data in the census carries profound implications for India’s judicial, social, and policy landscapes. From a judicial perspective, the Supreme Court’s 1992 ruling in Indra Sawhney & Others v. Union of India emphasized that states must substantiate the “backwardness” of a class through rigorous assessment, with periodic reviews by an expert body. A caste census will provide the necessary data to meet these legal standards, ensuring fair identification of backward classes.
On the social justice front, collecting caste information alongside socio-economic indicators will enable the government to update the list of socially and educationally backward classes. This could lead to a more equitable distribution of reservation benefits, potentially through a ‘quota-within-quota’ system that allows sub-categorization within reserved categories. Such a system would ensure that the most marginalized within these groups receive targeted support.
For policymaking, caste census data will serve as a robust foundation for crafting evidence-based policies tailored to the needs of underprivileged communities. By offering a clearer picture of caste-based disparities, the government can design interventions that address systemic inequalities more effectively.
A Historical Perspective on Caste Enumeration
The history of caste enumeration in India reflects a complex interplay of colonial and post-independence priorities. During British rule, from 1881 to 1931, the colonial administration conducted detailed caste counts for administrative purposes, with the 1931 census recording 4,147 distinct castes. After independence in 1947, the practice of general caste enumeration was discontinued to foster national unity, and only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) were counted in subsequent censuses.
In 1961, the central government permitted states to conduct their own surveys to identify Other Backward Classes (OBCs). A significant milestone came in 2011 with the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), which aimed to gather socio-economic and caste data but was conducted separately from the main census and did not mandate caste disclosure. The SECC’s open-ended approach resulted in over 46 lakh caste names, highlighting the diversity and complexity of caste identities.
Details of the Cabinet’s Decision
The approval for caste enumeration was made by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) on April 30, 2025. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing the media, underscored the government’s dedication to transparency and accuracy in data collection. “Caste enumeration must be transparent and part of the census to support informed policymaking,” he stated.
Unlike the 2011 SECC, which lacked statutory backing, this caste count will be integrated into the second phase of the census—population enumeration—under the legal framework of the Census Act, 1948. The census, a Union subject under Article 246 of the Constitution, is governed by this act, which delineates the responsibilities of census officers.
Implementation Strategies
The upcoming census will leverage digital technology for the first time, introducing innovations to enhance efficiency. A senior official disclosed that the census mobile application will likely feature an “other” column alongside SC and ST categories, with a drop-down code directory listing approved caste names. This directory is currently being tested to ensure accuracy.
To create a standardized caste list, the government plans to merge the Central OBC list (2,650 communities), SC list (1,170 communities), and ST list (890 communities) with state-specific OBC lists. A pre-test on a selected population will be conducted to iron out any issues before the nationwide count. Approximately 30 lakh government officials will serve as enumerators, requiring specialized training to handle caste enumeration.
The census will follow its standard two-phase structure: the first phase, house listing and housing schedule, includes 31 questions notified in January 2020, while the second phase, population enumeration, will cover 28 questions tested in a 2019 pre-census exercise across 76 districts.
Lessons from the SECC
The 2011 SECC exposed the challenges of caste enumeration, as its open-ended format led to an explosion of caste names, including variations like Gupta and Agarwal for the Baniya caste. To avoid similar issues, the upcoming census will use a standardized code directory. The SECC’s non-caste data was published in 2016, but the caste data, handed to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, remains unclassified, underscoring the need for a more structured approach.
Political Dynamics and Reactions
The caste census decision comes at a time when the issue has gained significant political traction. The Congress-led Opposition, particularly Rahul Gandhi, has made caste census a central plank of its agenda. Union Minister Vaishnaw accused the Congress and its INDI alliance partners of using the issue for political gain without genuine commitment. He highlighted that Congress governments historically resisted caste enumeration, citing the 2010 decision under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to opt for the SECC instead of a full census.
Amit Shah, in a post on X, criticized the Congress for opposing the caste census while in power and politicizing it in opposition. He described the Modi government’s decision as a testament to its dedication to social justice, stating, “This will empower backward classes and pave the way for the uplift of the deprived.”
Vaishnaw also pointed to inconsistencies in state-level caste surveys, noting that while some states conducted transparent exercises, others were politically driven, creating societal confusion. States like Telangana, Karnataka, and Bihar (in 2023, under a JDU-RJD-Congress government) have undertaken independent caste surveys, but the central government’s earlier reticence on the issue had sparked debate.
Evolving Government Stance
The Modi government’s position on caste census has shifted over time. In July 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated it had no plans to enumerate castes beyond SCs and STs. However, a 2018 statement following a meeting chaired by then-Home Minister Rajnath Singh indicated plans to collect OBC data in the 2021 census, though no minutes were recorded, as revealed by an RTI response.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a key ideological ally of the BJP, expressed cautious support in September 2024, advocating for caste data collection for welfare purposes but cautioning against its electoral misuse. This marked a shift from its 2010 stance, when RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyaji Joshi opposed caste-based enumeration, arguing it could undermine efforts to build a casteless society.
Broader Implications
The caste census will have far-reaching consequences beyond social justice. Its findings will inform the next delimitation exercise for Lok Sabha seats and trigger the implementation of 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, adding to its significance.
In addition to the caste census, the Cabinet approved a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 355 per quintal for sugarcane for the 2025–26 season, benefiting nearly 5 crore farmers. It also greenlit a Rs 22,864 crore highway project connecting Shillong to Silchar, aimed at boosting connectivity in Assam and Meghalaya.
Conclusion
The Union Cabinet’s approval of caste enumeration in the upcoming census is a pivotal step towards addressing long-standing demands for equitable representation and evidence-based policymaking. By integrating caste data into the census, the government aims to empower marginalized communities, strengthen social justice, and lay the groundwork for a more inclusive India. As the nation awaits the notification of census dates, this historic decision promises to reshape India’s social and political landscape, with implications that will resonate for decades to come.
FAQs
1.What is the significance of including caste enumeration in the upcoming Indian census?
Caste enumeration will provide critical data to meet judicial requirements for assessing the “backwardness” of communities, as mandated by the Supreme Court in the 1992 Indra Sawhney case. It will support social justice by enabling an updated list of socially and educationally backward classes and facilitate equitable distribution of reservation benefits through potential sub-categorization. Additionally, it will aid evidence-based policymaking to address the needs of marginalized groups.
2.When was the last time a comprehensive caste census was conducted in India?
The last comprehensive caste census was conducted in 1931 during British colonial rule, recording 4,147 castes. Since independence, only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) have been counted in the decennial census, with the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) being a separate, non-mandatory caste data collection effort.
3.How will caste enumeration be implemented in the upcoming census?
The census will be conducted digitally, with a mobile application featuring a drop-down code directory listing approved caste names in an “other” column alongside SC and ST categories. The Central and state OBC, SC, and ST lists will be merged to create this directory. A pre-test will be conducted, and approximately 30 lakh enumerators will be trained to ensure accuracy during the two-phase census process.
4.Why has the inclusion of caste enumeration been politically controversial?
The caste census has been a contentious issue, with opposition parties like Congress advocating for it as a tool for social justice, while some upper-caste groups and organizations like the RSS (in 2010) opposed it, fearing it could deepen caste divisions. The Modi government’s decision addresses opposition demands but has been accompanied by accusations that Congress historically resisted caste enumeration and used it for political gain.
5.What broader impacts will the caste census have beyond social justice?
The caste census data will serve as the basis for the next delimitation exercise for Lok Sabha seats and trigger the implementation of 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. It will also inform policies to address socio-economic disparities and support infrastructure and welfare initiatives, such as the recently approved sugarcane FRP and Shillong-Silchar highway project.
