Will Caste Census Finally Happen This Time?

Caste Census: Foundation for Social Justice—Don't Let Political Promises Become Empty Rhetoric

By T. Chiranjeevulu  IAS (Ret) , Founder and President BCIF (BC Intellectuals Forum)

In the 79-year history of independent India, many critical issues have been debated. Land reforms, reservations, linguistically organised states, and economic reforms have shaped the nation's future. Yet one issue remains unresolved—one directly connected to social justice: the caste census.

Other backward classes (OBCs), who constitute the largest percentage of India's population, have demanded for decades that their actual population figures and socio-economic conditions be officially recorded. Yet political parties have used this issue as an election promise only to retreat once in power.

The History of Caste Census

Caste-based data collection in India is not new. British rulers initiated caste enumeration in the census from 1881 onward. The 1931 census was the last to comprehensively collect information on all castes. After independence, however, full-scale caste census ceased. Only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) populations continued to be counted for constitutional purposes, while comprehensive data on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) stopped being collected. This represents a major injustice.

Welfare schemes, reservations, and development programmes are all designed based on backwardness indicators. But for the majority OBC population, precise statistics remain unavailable.

From Kaka Kalelkar to Mandal Commission

The first Backward Classes Commission, the Kaka Kalelkar Commission, recommended collecting caste-wise data. Later, the Mandal Commission also emphasised that caste census was necessary to assess the true condition of backward classes in the country. The Mandal Commission had to estimate OBC population using 1931 census data—a clear testament to government neglect. One must consider how irrational it is to formulate policies in the 21st century based on 1931 statistics.

What Is a Caste Census?

A caste census is not merely counting castes. It goes far beyond that. A caste census is a diagnostic tool for Indian society—an X-ray. Just as an X-ray reveals diseases in the body, a caste census exposes societal inequalities. Which communities own land? Who holds government jobs? Who accesses higher education? Who remains illiterate? What is their income level? How much political representation do they have? Whom are the benefits of development reaching? Only when answers to these questions emerge can genuine social justice be achieved.

Dual Approach of Political Parties

Nearly all national parties have displayed duplicity on the caste census. In 2010, the BJP proposed conducting a caste census in Parliament, which both houses unanimously approved. However, the then-central government conducted a separate Socio-Economic and Caste Survey rather than including caste in the regular census. The survey results were never fully released. Meanwhile, when in opposition, the BJP supported caste census. In 2018, affirmative declarations were made in Parliament again. However, in 2021, during a Maharashtra local bodies reservation case, the party submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court stating that caste census was impossible. Subsequently, under public pressure and ahead of Bihar elections, they returned to supportive statements. The Union Cabinet approved it on April 30, 2025. These shifts reveal one thing clearly: political parties view caste census not as an issue of social justice but according to political necessities.

Why OBCs Specifically Need It

For SCs and STs, caste census occurs through the regular census. Similarly, OCs (Forward castes) represent a relatively small population but command most opportunities anyway; revealing caste figures would expose their domination, so they have no need for it. That leaves only the remaining castes—the OBCs—for whom caste census becomes essential.

Harm of No Caste Census

The absence of caste census has caused severe damage to OBCs. What share do OBCs hold in government jobs? What is their representation in higher educational institutions? Where do they stand in the judiciary? What is their participation in the industrial sector? There are no official answers to these questions. At the same time, forces opposing reservations argue "OBCs have already developed." Without statistics, countering these claims scientifically becomes difficult. Hence, caste census is not merely a demand for OBCs; it is a tool necessary for protecting their constitutional rights. Administration requires data and evidence for effective governance and judicial needs. Mere population counts of castes alone will not suffice. Like Telangana's comprehensive socio-economic survey, nationwide recording must include education, employment, land ownership, income, political representation, occupations, and living conditions. Because caste is not merely a social identity; it is intertwined with economic opportunities, educational access, and power-sharing.

Supreme Court and High Court Opinions

Courts have struck down state government increases in reservations due to lack of caste data. The Supreme Court has clarified in several judgments that accurate, contemporary statistics are essential for identifying caste-based social and educational backwardness:

Case	Year	Key Observation
Indra Sawhney	1992	Reservations must be based on empirical data; noted absence of comprehensive caste data after 1931 census
Maratha Reservation Case	2021	Quantifiable and empirical data mandatory to prove backwardness
Sudhakar Gummula v. Union of India	2026	Petition opposing caste census dismissed—"no fault in government knowing OBC population"
Madras High Court	Census Commissioner v. R. Krishnamurthy	Suggested caste counting to Centre, later stayed by Supreme Court citing policy discretion
Akash Goil v. Union of India	February 2, 2026	Self-declaration alone insufficient; verified mechanism required for caste documentation

The Supreme Court has not directly ordered a caste census. But through judgments like Indra Sawhney and Maratha Reservation cases, it has clarified that reservations and social justice policies must rest on accurate caste-wise data. Thus, strong legal and constitutional grounds exist in these rulings.

Central Government Must Demonstrate Good Faith—What Preparations Are Needed?

If the central government truly intends to conduct a caste census, preparatory work must begin immediately. A complete list of all castes nationwide must be prepared. Each caste should be assigned a unique code. Enumeration staff require training. Scientific methodologies for data collection must be developed. Otherwise, data quality will suffer when the same caste gets registered under different names across regions.

Despite announcing plans for caste census, the centre has yet to initiate clear discussions on scientific methods, formats, or data collection standards. A general census contains only 42 limited columns. However, caste census is not merely registering caste names; it must scientifically measure social, educational, economic, political, and employment-related backwardness. What details should be recorded? How many columns needed? How to categorise castes? Experts, civil society representatives, and organisations must engage in wide-ranging discussions starting now. Yet no such process is visible so far.

Telangana's recent comprehensive socio-economic, educational, employment, and caste survey serves as an important model. Similarly, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar's caste surveys should be studied for strengths and weaknesses. A scientific format implementable nationwide must be developed through public consultation. Currently, no such preparatory actions are visible. Particularly troubling is the absence of a specific column for OBCs in the house-listing operations—the first phase of census—similar to SC/STs. This raises suspicions. With no clarity on guidelines, questionnaires, verification systems, or data classification standards, doubts grow among OBC communities whether the central government genuinely intends to conduct a caste census.

Therefore, the centre must immediately announce a complete action plan for caste census, progressing transparently with participation from all sections. For impartial and neutral conduct of caste census, an independent commission should be established. This commission must tour the nation, engage with all communities, and design a comprehensive plan. Only then will OBC citizens trust the centre. Only then will doubts about caste census vanish, marking a historic step toward social justice. Otherwise, there is danger that it will be conducted superficially with errors cited to discredit the exercise. Numbers may not even be announced. This could become a politician's trap. "Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas" becomes hollow. Socio-economic and political inequalities are already severe in this country. If corrective measures are not taken now, grave danger awaits the nation in the coming period.

Why Fear About Caste Census?

Some dominant groups oppose caste census for a clear reason: caste census reveals truths. So far, the narrative has been propagated that "equal opportunities exist for everyone." But after caste census, whose dominance exists in power, assets, education, and employment sectors becomes crystal clear. Hence numerous myths and misinformation campaigns against caste census are being created. OBC, SC, ST, minority, and other Bahujan communities must unite and fight for this as a democratic right.

"To get representation proportionate to population," one must first know the population size. To claim "share," numbers must be known. To earn "respect," facts must come to light. To gain "authority," scientific understanding of social structure is required.

Caste census is not a programme strengthening caste identities; it is a democratic process identifying and reducing inequalities based on caste. It is not a tool dividing the nation; it is the foundation for building a society with equal opportunities.

Will This Time Be Different?

Will this time caste census remain a political promise? Or will it actually materialise, opening a new chapter for social justice? The answer will emerge in the coming months. Yet one thing is clear: without caste census, social justice remains incomplete. Without statistics, policies wander blindfolded. Therefore, the struggle for caste census is not merely for numbers—it is a fight for equality, representation, dignity, and participation in political power. Unless the OBC community remains vigilant and increases pressure on the central government, another injustice toward OBCs appears inevitable.

 

This analysis is based on current developments surrounding India's proposed caste census and related legal proceedings as of June 2026.