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ndia’s first caste census since 1931 offers a chance to reshape social policy, but only if it learns from past successes
May 20, 2025 | Hyderabad
When India announced in May 2025 that its upcoming census would include caste data for the first time since 1931, it reignited a debate as old as the republic itself: how to balance social equity with the complexities of identity. The caste census, aimed at refining affirmative action and welfare schemes, faces daunting challenges—diverse identities, logistical hurdles, and fears of social unrest. Yet, a small state in India’s north-east offers a blueprint. Nagaland’s Census 2011, which achieved near-universal participation despite rugged terrain and tribal diversity, shows how community engagement can deliver reliable data. As India embarks on this historic exercise, Nagaland’s model of inclusivity could be the key to success.
A Communal Triumph
Nagaland, a hilly state of 1.98 million people, 86.5% of whom are Scheduled Tribes (STs), pulled off a remarkable feat in 2011. Its census recorded precise demographic data—a 79.55% literacy rate, a unique negative population growth (-0.58%)—thanks to a communitization model that empowered local institutions. Village councils, tribal hohos (apex bodies), and church networks mobilized communities, while multilingual campaigns and culturally sensitive enumerators ensured trust. This approach overcame geographical barriers and historical mistrust, offering lessons for a caste census that must navigate India’s 4,000-plus castes and sub-castes.
Defining Inclusivity
An inclusive caste census is one that captures every community—Scheduled Castes (SCs), STs, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and General categories—without alienating any. It requires comprehensive coverage, cultural sensitivity, and robust data to inform policies like reservations and welfare schemes. The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011, which faltered with 46 lakh inconsistent caste entries and unreleased data, underscores the stakes. An inclusive count must avoid such pitfalls, ensuring representation for marginalized groups while addressing fears of data misuse.
Nagaland’s Playbook
Nagaland’s success in 2011 hinged on three pillars. First, community engagement: local leaders, from village councils to churches, fostered ownership, ensuring even remote villages participated. Second, targeted outreach: campaigns in 16 tribal dialects, via radio and community gatherings, clarified the census’s benefits, such as improved welfare planning. Third, cultural competence: enumerators, trained to respect tribal customs, collected accurate data without friction. These strategies are tailor-made for a caste census, where trust is paramount.
Adapting Nagaland’s model nationally could work wonders. Community partnerships—think caste associations or urban local bodies—can counter resistance, as seen in debates over social unrest. Multilingual campaigns, leveraging social media like WhatsApp and X, can echo Nagaland’s outreach to reach India’s 1.4 billion people. Training enumerators to navigate caste complexities, much like Nagaland’s tribal nuances, will ensure data clarity, avoiding SECC’s errors. Hybrid enumeration (digital for cities, paper-based for villages) can mirror Nagaland’s logistical agility in reaching 71% rural residents.
Challenges Ahead
India’s caste landscape is far more intricate than Nagaland’s tribal homogeneity. In states like Uttar Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, caste rivalries and political sensitivities loom large. Nagaland’s SCs (0.1%) and OBCs, mostly urban, are a minority, but nationally, these groups demand granular data to address intra-caste disparities. The 2025 census must standardize categories, possibly through amendments to the Census Act, 1948, to prevent another SECC-like mess. Logistical barriers—urban slums, conflict zones—require Nagaland’s community-driven solutions, scaled up with digital tools.
Public perception is another hurdle. Critics fear a caste census could deepen divisions, while supporters, citing Bihar’s 2023 caste survey, argue it will refine policies. Nagaland’s trust-building campaigns, which framed the census as a collective good, offer a way to neutralize skepticism. Transparency in data handling will be critical to dispel privacy concerns.
The Road Forward
An inclusive caste census could transform India’s social policy, enabling targeted interventions for education, jobs, and welfare. Nagaland’s example shows that community ownership, not top-down mandates, is the path to success. By involving local leaders, standardizing data, and prioritizing accessibility, India can produce a census that reflects its diversity without fracturing it. The alternative—a repeat of SECC’s failures—risks squandering a rare opportunity. As India counts its castes, it could do worse than look to Nagaland’s hills for inspiration.
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