On April 30, 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced the inclusion of a caste census within the upcoming national population survey. This decision represents the first comprehensive caste enumeration conducted at the national level since 193. The government’s stated objective is to empower marginalized communities and provide data to inform equitable policy formulation. Opposition leaders have swiftly responded, calling for a simultaneous review of existing reservation caps, suggesting a potential shift in the national discourse on affirmative action. This announcement signifies a significant policy change and will likely lead to widespread debate.
Caste Census 2025
| Aspects | Details |
| Announcement Date | April 30, 2025 |
| Last Caste Census | 1931 (comprehensive); 2011 (partial, data not released) |
| Who is Counted | All castes and sub-castes, including OBCs |
| Legal Requirement | No amendment needed; can be included by notification |
| Political Context | Major elections in Bihar, UP are upcoming; high political interest |
| Expected Impact | Policy, reservation, electoral boundaries, and social welfare |
| Timeline | Not yet announced |
Caste Census
A caste census is a government-led survey. It collects data on the caste or social group of each person. The aim is to study disparities. It also helps to understand the impact of government policies. This can help address caste-based discrimination.
A caste census is the process of collecting data on the caste or social group of individuals within a population. It involves enumerating people by their caste during a population census.
Also Read: Reservation System in India 2025
- The last comprehensive national caste census happened in 1931. It categorized people by caste, religion, and occupation. It showed the complexities of caste and regional differences.
- After independence, India stopped national caste enumeration (except for SCs and STs) starting with the 1951 Census. The aim was to promote unity and avoid reinforcing divisions.
- In 1961, the central government permitted states to conduct their own OBC surveys. However, there was no national caste census.
- The Mandal Commission (1980) used the 1931 caste data to recommend 27% OBC reservations. This sparked major political debates.
- The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) took place in 2011. It collected economic and caste data, but the caste data was not officially released.
- In recent years, states like Bihar, Telangana, and Karnataka have conducted their own caste surveys. This happened amid renewed national discussions.
- In 2025, the Indian government approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming national census. This revives a practice stopped nearly a century ago.
Pros of Caste Census
Here are the pros of a Caste Census:
- It provides current data for targeted policymaking.
- It allows for fairer implementation of reservation policies.
- It can help empower marginalized communities.
- It promotes transparency and inclusivity.
- It aids in understanding and addressing social inequalities.
- It helps in allocating resources to needy communities effectively.
- It aligns with the constitutional duty to investigate backward classes.
- It offers a clearer picture of the socio-economic status of various castes.
- It can inform the design of specific development programs.
- It allows for better monitoring of the impact of affirmative action.
- It can reveal the extent of historical disadvantages.
- It provides a basis for evidence-based social justice initiatives.
- It can contribute to a more equitable society.
- It can help identify emerging patterns of social stratification.
- It can offer insights for inclusive growth strategies.
Also Read: Skill Census – Pros and Cons
Cons of Caste Census
Here are the cons of a Caste Census:
- It may deepen existing caste divisions in society.
- It could intensify political competition based on caste identities.
- Conducting a nationwide survey of castes presents significant logistical challenges.
- The data collected can be sensitive and potentially lead to social unrest.
- Accurately categorizing numerous sub-castes can be very difficult.
- It might lead to comparisons between caste groups, causing friction.
- The focus on caste may distract from other forms of inequality.
- It could reinforce rigid social hierarchies.
- There are concerns about the potential misuse of the collected data.
- Defining and classifying castes consistently across the country can be problematic.
- The process might be perceived as intrusive by some individuals.
- It could raise questions about data privacy and security.
- The exercise may be very expensive and time-consuming.
- The outcomes might be interpreted and used for narrow political gains.
- It could potentially hinder the development of a casteless society ideal.
