The idea of conducting a caste census in India has been gaining traction in recent years. A caste census involves collecting detailed data on the various caste groups within the country. Supporters argue that this information is crucial for understanding the social and economic disparities that exist among different communities. By accurately documenting the caste composition, policymakers can design more effective programs and policies to promote equality and uplift disadvantaged groups. Such a census could provide a clearer picture of the population’s diversity and help address longstanding issues of social justice and representation.
Tags: GS – 1, Population and Associated Issues, GS- 2, Government Policies & Interventions
Context:
- The Census Act, 1948 should be revised to mandate caste enumeration as a regular part of the Census, with specific questions in the questionnaire, removing the Union executive’s discretion.
- Peter Drucker’s quote, “Only what gets measured gets managed,” underscores the necessity of collecting data on group identities to address discrimination effectively.
Census in India:
- About:
- Population Census provides basic statistics on the state of human resources, demography, culture, and economic structure at local, regional, and national levels.
- Beginning in 1872, when the first census was conducted non-synchronously, the census enumeration exercise in India is carried out every 10 years.
- The first synchronous census was taken under British rule in 1881, by W.C. Plowden, Census Commissioner of India.
- The responsibility of conducting the decadal census rests with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Legal/Constitutional Basis of Census in India:
- Population census is listed in the Union List (entry 69) of the Seventh Schedule in the Indian Constitution. Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.
- Caste Census:
- Caste was enumerated in British India Censuses (1881-1931). Post-Independence, the 1951 Census excluded caste enumeration except for SCs and STs, who continue to be counted.
- In 1961, the Government of India recommended states conduct their own surveys for state-specific OBC lists, as there were no central reservations for OBCs at that time.
- Though Census is a Union subject, the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 allows states and local bodies to gather necessary data, as seen in Karnataka (2015) and Bihar (2023).
Need for Caste Census:
- Social Imperative
- Caste remains a key social structure in India, evidenced by low inter-caste marriages, prevalent caste surnames and marks, residential segregation, etc.
- Choices of candidates for elections and ministers for Cabinets continue to be dictated by caste considerations.
- Legal Imperative
- Constitutionally-mandated social justice policies, including reservations in various sectors, require detailed caste data.
- Although the Constitution mentions class instead of caste, the Supreme Court has ruled caste as a significant criterion for defining backward classes and supporting reservation policies.
- Administrative Imperative
- Detailed caste data helps correct wrongful caste inclusions/exclusions.
- Prevents dominant castes within reserved categories from monopolising benefits.
- Aids in sub-categorizing castes.
- Determines the creamy layer income/wealth criterion.
- Moral Imperative
- Lack of caste data has allowed elites among upper castes and dominant OBCs to disproportionately control national assets, income, and power.
Argument against Caste Census:
- Socially Divisive
- Critics argue it could deepen social divisions.
- However, India has had deep social divides for nearly 3,000 years. Census counts of SCs and STs since 1951 haven’t led to conflicts among these groups.
- Additionally, the Census already includes potentially divisive categories like religion, language, and region.
- Casteism will not wither away by not counting caste in the Census, any more than communalism and regionalism will disappear by not enumerating religion, language, and region.
- Administrative Nightmare:
- Many opponents claim it is an administrative nightmare.
- Despite concerns, caste enumeration is feasible. Unlike the fuzzy concept of race, caste identity is clear.
- The Government of India has successfully enumerated 1,234 SC castes and 698 ST tribes.
- Counting the 4,000-odd other castes, mostly state-specific, should not be overly problematic.
- Fueling Demands for Increased Reservations:
- Opponents say it would fuel demands for increased reservations.
- Rather than fueling demands, detailed caste data could help curb arbitrary reservation demands.
- It would allow for objective policymaking and informed debates on reservation claims from groups like Marathas, Patidars, and Jats.
- Governments often prefer vague data, allowing them to implement reservations arbitrarily for electoral gains.
The Case for OBC Inclusion in the Census:
- Reservations for OBCs in Education and Public Employment:
- The Constitution permits reservations for OBCs in education and public employment (Articles 15(4) and 16(4)), similar to SCs and STs.
- Following the Mandal Commission, OBCs also have reservations in the Central government.
- The Supreme Court’s Indra Sawhney case (1992) ruling requires periodic revision of the OBC list, which is based on the 1931 Census.
- No Reservation in Electoral Constituencies for MPs and MLAs:
- While OBCs lack reservations in MP and MLA constituencies, the 73rd and 74th amendments (1993) mandate reservations in panchayats .
- Municipalities for SCs, STs, and OBCs (Articles 243D(6) and 243T(6)).
- Accurate caste-wise data of OBCs is needed for this, which the Government of India (GOI) should have collected in the 2001 Census but did not.
- Judiciary Demands Caste-wise Data to Uphold Reservations:
- States like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, and Jharkhand have faced judicial stays on OBC reservations in local elections due to the absence of caste-wise data.
- While the judiciary demands this data, the executive has avoided collecting it.
Attempt at Caste Census Failed:
- In 2010, after significant lobbying, the Parliament unanimously resolved to include caste enumeration in the 2011 Census.
- The last caste enumeration in the 1931 Census identified 4,147 castes.
- The Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC)-2011, which was not conducted under the Census Act, 1948, failed due to poor design and execution, resulting in an implausible figure of 46 lakh castes.
- The SECC-2011 failed because it was not conducted under the Census Act, 1948, as the Act was not amended to include caste as a parameter.
- It was conducted through the Union Ministries of Rural Development and Urban Development, which lacked experience in conducting sociological/anthropological surveys.
- The questionnaire was poorly designed and included open-ended questions about caste.
- Enumerators could not distinguish between genuine castes, alternative caste names, larger caste groups, sub-castes, surnames, clan names, gotras, etc.
Way Forward:
- Amend the Census Act, 1948
- The Census Act, 1948, should be amended to mandate caste enumeration, removing the discretion of the Union executive.
- Include Caste Data in Regular Census
- Caste data should be collected during the regular Census by the Census Commissioner, with relevant questions added to the questionnaire.
- Involve Experts in Drafting Caste Lists
- Sociological and anthropological experts should draft state-specific caste lists, publish them online for public input, and finalise them before providing them to enumerators.
- Improve Questionnaire Design
- The questionnaire should include questions about sub-caste, caste, larger caste group, and caste surname.
- Utilise Technology for Data Collection
- Using internet-enabled devices with preloaded details would simplify and ensure accurate data collection.
| UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question Prelims Q:1 Consider the following statements: (2009) 1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times. 2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ans: (d) Mains: Q:1 Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, the caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (2018) |
Source: TH
FAQs
Q: What is a caste census?
- Answer: A caste census is a survey conducted to collect detailed information about the various caste groups within a population. It aims to gather data on the socio-economic conditions of different castes.
Q: Why is there a need for a caste census in India?
- Answer: There is a need for a caste census to understand the socio-economic status of different caste groups. This data can help in creating more effective policies for education, employment, and welfare schemes targeted at disadvantaged communities.
Q: How will a caste census benefit the country?
- Answer: A caste census can provide accurate data on the distribution and conditions of different caste groups. This can help the government in making informed decisions to address inequality and ensure that resources and opportunities are distributed more fairly.
Q: What are the challenges of conducting a caste census?
- Answer: Conducting a caste census can be challenging due to the sensitive nature of caste identities, the risk of deepening social divisions, and the logistical complexities of accurately collecting and processing vast amounts of data.
Q: Has India conducted a caste census before?
- Answer: India has not conducted a caste census as part of its regular population census since 1931. However, the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 collected some caste-related data, but it was not comprehensive and did not cover the entire population.
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