SOCIO ECONOMIC CASTE CENSUS

What is caste census?

Caste census means inclusion of caste-wise tabulation of India’s population in the Census exercise.

India has counted and published caste data — from 1951 to 2011 — of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes only. It also publishes data related to religions, languages and socio-economic status.

Was it done earlier?

The last caste census was conducted in 1931. All caste data are projected on its basis. It became the basis for quota caps under the Mandal formula.

Caste data were collected for the 2011 census but the data were never made public.

Advantages of carrying out caste census

• Better targeting of beneficiaries for reservation.
• Updating of 90 year old caste census
• Better tackling of caste discrimination at the grassroots level.

Arguments against carrying out caste census

• Cumbersome and time consuming
• May lead to more demands for reservation and litigations for enforcing it.