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The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has recently approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the forthcoming national Population Census. This marks a significant policy shift from its 2021 position, where the idea was set aside.

Understanding the Caste Census

A caste census involves the systematic recording of individuals' caste affiliations during a national population count. This exercise aims to generate detailed socio-economic profiles of various caste groups, facilitating better policy planning, especially in the context of welfare schemes and affirmative action.

Legal and Constitutional Framework

• No Direct Provision: The Constitution does not expressly mandate a caste census.
• Permissibility Under Article 340: The government is empowered to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes, which provides scope for caste-based data collection.
• Union Subject: As per Entry 69 of the Union List (Seventh Schedule), the Census falls within the legislative jurisdiction of the Union Government under Article 246.

Historical Context

• Colonial Era (1881–1931): The British administration included caste enumeration in decennial censuses, the last being in 1931.
• Post-Independence Practice (1951 onwards): Independent India has only counted Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in its censuses.
• Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011: Though it aimed to gather caste-related data, the caste-specific findings remain unpublished due to concerns over accuracy.

Why a Caste Census is Relevant Today

• Evidence-Based Policy Making:Reliable data on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) is absent. For example, the Mandal Commission (1980) estimated OBCs at 52%, but this figure lacks empirical validation. Recent data from Bihar's 2023 caste survey pegged the OBC+EBC population at 63%.
• Restructuring Reservation:A caste census can guide rationalisation of quotas and potential sub-categorisation within OBCs, ensuring benefits reach the most deprived segments.
• Social Welfare Targeting:Caste-disaggregated data allows for focused delivery of healthcare, education, and livelihood schemes.
• Women’s Political Representation:Accurate population data is necessary for delimitation, a precursor to implementing the recently passed Women’s Reservation Act, which reserves seats for women in legislatures.
• Constitutional Backing:Article 15(4) enables the state to provide for the advancement of backward classes, but this requires reliable data for identification.