Description

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Context

The Central Government has announced that the next Census will take place in 2027, and it will collect information on castes.

What is caste enumeration?

Caste enumeration is the process of collecting data on the population's caste identities. While the general decennial census collects data on demographics, literacy, housing, and other socioeconomic factors, caste enumeration is specifically designed to determine the numerical strength and distribution of caste groups.

Constitution on Census and Caste

According to Article 246 and the Seventh Schedule, the census is a Union subject (Entry 69 of List I), and the central government has sole authority to conduct it.
Article 15(4) empowers the state to make specific provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally disadvantaged groups.
Article 16(4) empowers the state to make reservations in public employment for any backward class that is not adequately represented. These provisions support the rationale for collecting caste data in order to implement targeted welfare policies.

Significance of Caste Enumeration

The 1941 Census was India's last attempt at caste enumeration, but the data was never processed due to the outbreak of World War II.
As a result, the most recent usable caste data is from 1931, making it completely out of date for use in modern policy.
The Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has justified this inclusion as a step toward integrating marginalised communities and improving targeted policymaking.
However, questions remain about whether the current Census framework can keep this promise without significant changes.

Source: The Hindu

Practice Question:

Q. With reference to caste enumeration in India, consider the following statements:

The Census of India has never included caste-wise data after 1951.

The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 collected caste data but did not publish it officially.

The responsibility for conducting the Census lies with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer:

B) 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1: Incorrect. While caste data for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is collected in every census since 1951, data for other castes is not included. So, the claim that no caste-wise data is collected after 1951 is partially incorrect.

Statement 2: Correct. SECC 2011 did collect caste-related data, but the final data was not released publicly due to inconsistencies and classification issues.

Statement 3: Correct. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, conducts the Census.