Why a Caste Census is Needed
Counting caste is not identity politics—it reflects real social conditions.
Social justice policies like reservations require detailed caste data.
Without caste data, many marginalised groups remain invisible in official records.
Current reservation policies lack proper evidence and allow elite groups to dominate.
Only SCs and STs are counted currently, while OBCs and upper castes are left out.
Past Mistakes and Lessons
The 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) failed due to poor design and lack of legal backing.
Confusion in data collection led to over 46 lakh caste names—most of them inaccurate.
It was not handled by expert agencies and had open-ended questions that created chaos.
In contrast, Bihar’s 2023 caste survey used a vetted list of 214 castes and was a success.
What Must Be Done for a Successful Census
Amend the Census Act, 1948, to include caste enumeration.
Hand over the task to the Census Commissioner, not other ministries.
Use dropdown menus with standardised caste names and digital codes to avoid duplication.
Consult State governments and experts to create accurate caste lists.
Train enumerators well and provide them with preloaded digital devices.
Ensure diversity among enumerators to avoid bias.
Pilot the process in a few States before national rollout.
Set up oversight committees for quality checks and audits.
The Time Is Now
The 2021 Census delay is an opportunity to correct long-standing data gaps.
Every census since 1951 has successfully counted SC/ST castes.
Counting the remaining OBCs and upper castes (around 4,000 groups) is achievable.
A complete caste census is necessary for fairness, justice, and effective policymaking.
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