Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: Society and Social Justice
Topic: Social empowerment and welfare
Issue: Caste Census
Context: Jharkhand CM Champai Soren has given green signal for the caste based survey in the state.
Caste Census:
Enumerating the population based on their caste and sub-caste alongside other demographic details.
| Benefits | Issues / Concerns: |
| Identifying disadvantaged groups | Complex task and prone to errors |
| Addressing social inequality | Potential misuse for political gain or social discrimination. |
| Policy formulation- evidence-based policymaking | Social tensions and divisions |
| Historical and sociological insights | Legality is questioned |
History:
- Introduced in 1881 and continued till the 1931 census.
- Independent India’s governments stopped full caste enumeration on the apprehension that
- it would strengthen caste divisions and perpetuate the caste system.
- Even the OBC reservation, which was based on the Mandal Commission report, was extended from the caste/community-wise population figures of the 1931.
+1 Advantage:
Bihar Caste census:
- The Bihar government conducted a two-phase caste based survey in 2023.
- However a case was filed on the grounds that only the Union government can undertake a census, as per Entry 69 (Census) of Union List of the Seventh Schedule and Census Act,1948.
- The Patna High Court upheld the validity of the survey, and held that the state government is competent to conduct caste-based surveys.
Statement (can also be used in sub-categorization of SCs topic)
“There is equality only among equals. To equate unequals is to perpetuate inequality.” – B.P Mandal Commission.
