In a significant policy shift, the Centre has announced that caste-based enumeration will be part of the upcoming national census, marking a major development in India’s demographic data collection. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) on Wednesday, and is being hailed as a move toward more equitable and targeted policymaking.
The announcement was made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who said the move reflects the government’s commitment to “the values and interests of society” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“The CCPA has decided that caste enumeration should be included in the forthcoming census. This will ensure transparency and strengthen the social and economic structure of society,” Vaishnaw stated.
The minister also noted that past attempts by individual states to conduct caste surveys had led to confusion and lack of standardisation, and insisted that a national, transparent census-based approach would provide more reliable data. He took aim at earlier governments, especially the Congress-led UPA, for not conducting a full-fledged caste census despite recommendations from various parties.
The inclusion of caste data is being positioned as a tool to enhance data-driven policymaking for social justice, rather than a political instrument. Vaishnaw emphasized that this move would help avoid the politicization of caste data and enable accurate welfare planning for underprivileged communities.
The decision drew swift praise from the BJP’s allies in Bihar, including the Janata Dal United (JDU), Lok Janshakti Party (RV), and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP). JDU’s working president Sanjay Jha called the move “historic” and aligned it with the party’s long-standing stance on development with justice.
The announcement comes at a politically charged time, with caste data playing a key role in state-level electoral dynamics—particularly in Bihar, where a state-level caste survey previously revealed that backward communities make up nearly two-thirds of the population.
The inclusion of caste in the national census is expected to provide a comprehensive and official demographic picture, laying the foundation for more inclusive policymaking in India.
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