Caste to be included in Census for first time since Independence; concerns and hopes among backward classes

NEW DELHI: For the first time since Independence, the Census in India will include a question on caste. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday notified 40 questions to be asked during the population enumeration, with caste listed as the 10th question. Caste details will be recorded during the second phase of the 16th Census, scheduled for February 2027.

The exercise will go beyond the existing enumeration of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). While backward communities, including Other Backward Classes (OBCs), had been eagerly awaiting a caste census, the Centre's notification has also raised concerns.

Community leaders and experts fear that merely recording the caste of respondents may not provide any major benefit to OBCs. Since the Census will be fully digital, there are concerns that caste details may not clearly establish whether a person belongs to the SC, ST, OBC or general category unless state-wise caste lists are integrated into the digital system. They say the system should allow respondents to select their caste from the list applicable in their respective states. Caste surveys conducted in Bihar and Telangana followed a similar approach. However, the Centre has not yet provided clarity on this issue.

Need to know OBC population

A detailed caste census is expected to help frame national policies aimed at ensuring social justice and greater inclusion of historically marginalised communities. It could also help improve the representation of disadvantaged groups in areas such as employment and education and address gaps in existing policies. However, merely recording caste details may not be enough to assess the population of OBC communities. There are demands for the Census to clearly identify whether respondents belong to the OBC category.

In 1931, a caste-based survey was conducted under British rule. It estimated that OBCs accounted for 52 per cent of India's population. The Mandal Commission later relied on this data.

Congress leader and AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said there were serious doubts about the Centre's intentions. “We expected caste details to be collected based on state-wise lists. There are serious doubts about the Centre's intentions,” he said.

Details to be collected

Details including citizenship, place of birth, reason for migration (if applicable), permanent address, location where the COVID-19 vaccine was administered, and other relevant information must be recorded.

The Census will also collect information on several other details, including:

• Mobile number
• Aadhaar number
• Voter ID number
• Passport number
• Religion and details of parents
• Mother tongue and other languages known
• Literacy and digital literacy
• Educational qualifications and employment
• Number of children
• Number of bank accounts
• Driving licence details
• Whether the person has a disability

Census highlights

• The decision to conduct a caste census was announced in April 2025.
• Rs 4,102 crore has been allocated for the Census.
• It will be India's first fully digital Census.
• The first phase involves house listing and housing-related operations.
• The first phase is scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2026.