India to Conduct First Caste Census Since Independence, Says Centre
New Delhi, 30th April 2025: After years of political debate and public demand, the Union Cabinet has officially approved a nationwide caste census, marking a significant policy shift in India’s socio-political landscape. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the caste enumeration will be conducted alongside the upcoming national census, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The move comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections later this year and is being viewed as a potential game-changer in the ongoing discourse around social justice, representation, and inclusive governance.
What Will the Caste Census Involve?
As per current plans, the caste census is expected to begin in September 2025. The data collection exercise will take nearly a year, with final figures likely to be published in late 2026 or early 2027. This would be the first official caste-based count since independence, apart from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes data collected under the Census Act, 1948.
However, to officially enumerate Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the law will require an amendment. This could pave the way for comprehensive data on India’s estimated 2,650 OBC communities—a demand long echoed by multiple political parties and civil society groups.
The Politics Behind the Numbers
The demand for a caste census has steadily gained momentum over the decades, with political leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Kanshi Ram championing the cause since the 1980s. Their argument has consistently been that social justice and affirmative action cannot be effectively implemented without knowing the actual numbers of backward and marginalized communities.
The 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), carried out during the Manmohan Singh government, had aimed to fill this gap. However, its caste-related data was never released, leading to criticism and renewed demands for transparency.
Diverse Reactions Across the Political Spectrum
The Cabinet’s decision triggered sharp and contrasting political reactions:
Chirag Paswan called it an “important decision for inclusive development.”
Lalu Prasad Yadav said it was a “befitting reply to those who called us casteist.”
Keshav Prasad Maurya stated, “This is a tight slap on Congress… they only make promises, Modi government delivers.”
Tejashwi Yadav hailed it as “our victory,” crediting opposition pressure.
Congress leader Udit Raj termed it a win for Congress, adding that “ultimately, Modi government had to act.”
Meanwhile, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw criticized previous governments, saying, “Caste census has not been done since 1947. Congress only formed a GoM in 2010, but never acted.”
Historical Context and Legal Backdrop
The push for caste enumeration traces back to the 1979 Mandal Commission, which recommended 27% reservation for OBCs—implemented in 1990 by then PM V.P. Singh. This led to widespread protests but also gave rise to caste-based political mobilization and parties like SP, RJD, and BSP.
While the Census Act currently provides for the counting of SC and ST communities, it excludes OBCs. Amending this legislation is seen as the next critical step to legally integrate caste census into the upcoming enumeration process.
A Data-Driven Path to Viksit Bharat?
With over 50% of India’s population under the age of 25, policymakers argue that robust caste data is crucial for equitable policy planning in education, employment, and welfare schemes.
Bihar had taken the lead by conducting its own caste survey and releasing the data in October 2023. The Centre’s latest move now lays the groundwork for a national rollout.
As political narratives evolve and parties prepare for upcoming elections, the caste census could redefine the contours of representation and resource distribution across India.
