In a landmark decision, India will include a comprehensive caste enumeration in its upcoming national census, marking the first such exercise since 1931. The announcement, made by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responds to decades-long demands for detailed caste data to inform social justice policies and affirmative action programs.
The last caste-based census was conducted under British colonial rule in 1931. Post-independence, India’s decennial censuses focused on general demographic data, with caste details restricted to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). A partial attempt in 2011 through the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) collected caste data, but inconsistencies and political sensitivities prevented its full release. The 2025 census aims to bridge this gap, providing a comprehensive dataset on caste demographics across the country.
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The decision follows years of advocacy from political parties, including the Samajwadi Party, Congress, and regional outfits, as well as social justice movements. Telangana’s 2023 caste survey, the first state-led effort since independence, set a precedent, bolstered by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s push during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. BJP leaders, including Tarun Chugh, have framed the move as a fulfillment of B.R. Ambedkar’s vision for social equity, though critics note the party’s earlier reluctance, suggesting electoral pressures in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh influenced the timing.
Supporters argue that a caste census will enable evidence-based policymaking, ensuring equitable resource allocation and targeted welfare schemes for marginalized communities. “This is a victory for Dalits and backward classes who have long been denied fair representation,” said a Samajwadi Party spokesperson. However, detractors warn of potential risks, including social polarization, data misuse, or the entrenchment of caste identities. Logistical challenges also loom large, such as standardizing caste categories, training enumerators, and managing public response.
Public sentiment, as reflected on social media platform X, is deeply divided. Some users hailed the decision as a step toward justice, while others questioned its motives, pointing to Congress’s inaction during its tenure and the BJP’s sudden embrace ahead of key state elections. Analysts predict the census will spark intense debates on reservation policies, political representation, and resource distribution, potentially reshaping India’s social and electoral landscape.
The government has yet to release a detailed roadmap for the census, but officials indicate preparations are underway to integrate caste questions into the enumeration process. With India’s complex caste system encompassing thousands of sub-groups, the exercise promises to be a logistical and political tightrope.
As the nation gears up for this historic undertaking, the 2025 caste census is poised to be a defining moment in India’s journey toward social equity—or a flashpoint for new tensions. Only time will reveal its true impact.