NEW DELHI — India is set to include caste details in its forthcoming census, a development that is poised to trigger significant socioeconomic and political impacts across the nation, which recently became the most populous in the world.
Though Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw did not specify a start date for the census, he emphasized on Wednesday that the inclusion of caste information underscores the government’s dedication to addressing the “values and interests of society and the country.”
Analyzing caste among the data could prompt demands for expanding the nation’s quota systems that make provisions for reserved spots in government employment, educational institutions, and political offices for certain caste categories. Notably, this affects numerous lower and intermediate castes acknowledged as Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Currently, India limits such reservations to 50%, with OBCs benefiting from a 27% allocation.
Caste systems, deeply engrained in Indian society, form an ancient hierarchy primarily among Hindus based on occupation and economic status. Although these groups encompass hundreds of divisions, reliable data concerning their engagements have remained either outdated or insufficient.
Historically, various Indian administrations have avoided updating caste data due to concerns about possible societal upheaval. However, proponents assert that comprehensive demographic data is essential for the effective application of numerous social justice initiatives in India.
The practice of caste counting in India began under British colonial rule in 1872, continuing until 1931. After gaining independence, India, from 1951 onward, limited its census to counting Dalits and Adivasis, known collectively as scheduled castes and tribes, while categorizing other individuals under general status.
Originally scheduled for 2021, the upcoming decennial population survey was postponed due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical issues. The 2011 official census recorded a population of 1.21 billion, including 201 million scheduled castes and 104 million scheduled tribes.
In April 2023, India surpassed China in population size, reaching approximately 1.425 billion citizens, according to numbers from the U.N.’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The declaration regarding the census arrives shortly before a significant election in the economically challenged state of Bihar, where caste dynamics play a crucial role. Bihar is governed by a coalition that includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party.
There has been consistent advocacy from both opposition parties and Modi’s coalition partners for incorporating caste data into a fresh census. In the past, Modi’s Hindu nationalist party has opposed caste counting, arguing it would exacerbate existing social frictions.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress Party, asserted on social platform X that their advocacy efforts for a Caste Census have been effective.
Both Bihar and Karnataka, situated in northern and southern India respectively, have conducted and published their own caste surveys, uncovering an increased presence of backward castes and sparking calls for enhanced quotas. Meanwhile, the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are preparing to undertake similar evaluations.
Including caste specifics in the upcoming national census, according to Vaishnaw, will foster greater transparency, though he noted that some states governed by opposition factions have executed their own surveys, potentially for political maneuvering.
The political landscapes of many parties, including Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), heavily rely on relationships with caste factions, especially those within the OBC category.
India’s influential home minister, Amit Shah, described the initiative as “historic,” asserting that it “will empower all economically and socially disadvantaged groups.”