Caste Census: Debating the Merits and Challenges

• The recently released caste survey data by the Bihar government has reignited the debate on caste census in India.
• Census and Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) are two different exercises with distinct purposes.
• Caste-based data collection has a long history in India, but it was discontinued post-1951 to promote national unity.
• The significance of a caste census includes addressing social inequality, ensuring equitable distribution of resources, and monitoring the effectiveness of affirmative action policies.
• However, there are arguments against a caste census, such as reinforcing the caste system, the difficulty in defining castes, and the potential for further social divisions.
• The Government of India has decided not to enumerate caste-wise population other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Census.
• The SECC conducted in 2011 was an attempt to collect comprehensive data on socio-economic indicators and caste information, but the raw caste data has not been effectively utilized.

Census in India:

• The origin of the Census in India dates back to the colonial exercise of 1881.
• Census is used by the government, policymakers, academics, and others to capture the Indian population, access resources, map social change, and conduct delimitation exercises.
• Census has been criticized as a blunt instrument unsuited for specialized inquiry.

Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC):

• SECC was first conducted in 1931 to collect information on the economic status of Indian families and data on specific caste names.
• SECC is used to identify beneficiaries of state support, while Census provides a general portrait of the Indian population.

Difference Between Census & SECC:

• Census data is confidential under the Census Act of 1948, while personal information in SECC is open for use by government departments.

History of Caste-based Data Collection in India:

• Caste-based data collection was included in the Census until 1931.
• Post 1951, the decision to stop collecting caste data was made to move away from a divisive approach and promote national unity.
• However, there has been a renewed call for a caste census due to changing socio-political dynamics.

Significance of Caste Census:

• Address social inequality and uplift marginalized communities.
• Ensure equitable distribution of resources.
• Monitor the effectiveness of affirmative action policies.
• Provide a comprehensive picture of Indian society.

Arguments against Caste Census:

• Reinforces the caste system.
• Difficulty in defining castes.
• Leads to further social divisions.

Government’s Stand on Caste Census:

• The Government of India has decided not to enumerate caste-wise population other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Census.

Role of the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC):

• The SECC conducted in 2011 collected caste information, but the raw data has not been effectively utilized.

Way Forward:

• Conduct independent studies at district and state levels.
• Utilize technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to analyze data.
• Subcategorize OBCs to provide representation to underrepresented subcastes.