What Is Caste Census? Why It Was Discontinued In Independent India | All You Need To Know

Caste Census in India: Caste enumeration was a routine exercise during British rule from 1881 to 1931. However, with the first census of independent India in 1951, the government decided to discontinue this exercise, except for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). By 1961, the central government permitted states to conduct their own surveys and prepare state-specific lists of other backward classes (OBCs) if they met the standards. More than six decades later, amid political and social demands, the government has now approved the inclusion of caste census in the upcoming national census. The last attempt at caste data collection at the national level came in 2011 through the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SCC), which aimed to assess caste information as well as socio-economic status of a household but the data was not made public.

On April 30, 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCSA), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the collection of caste-based data in the upcoming census. The decision thus acknowledges a decades-old demand and reverses a position formally expressed in Parliament four years ago. Announcing the decision, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said, "(Caste Census) will strengthen the social and economic fabric of our society while the nation continues to progress."

What Is Caste Census?

A caste census is additional data to the regular census data, involving the systematic collection of information on the caste identity of each individual in the population. The caste census was part of the census enumeration during the British rule up to 1931 and was discontinued in Independent India’s census from 1951 onwards. However, the census in Independent India has continued to collect data on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as these groups are provided with reservation and specific welfare measures under the Constitution.

A Look Back: History Of Caste Census

The last caste census in India was held in 1931. This nearly century-old exercise, which last counted castes in India's census, gives a good idea of the complexities of the exercise, as well as the challenges that enumerators may face in any new effort.

British India (1881–1931): The 1931 census, in which castes were enumerated, was conducted by the colonial British government, and was the first such exercise since the 1901 census. According to caste-wise data, the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) constituted 52 per cent of the then total population of 271 million. This figure became the basis for the Mandal Commission's recommendation in 1980 to provide 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in education and government jobs, which was implemented only in 1990.

J H Hutton, the Census Commissioner in 1931, challenged critics who opposed the inclusion of caste in the census. He argued that identifying people only by their caste would help maintain the caste system. Hutton's argument was based on the idea that you cannot eliminate an established institution simply by pretending it does not exist, comparing it to the famous story of the ostrich hiding its head in the sand. He further questioned this view in the 1931 Census Report, stating: "It is difficult to understand why recording a fact which is a fact in itself would make that fact more permanent." Hutton firmly believed that "caste still remains an extremely important element in the foundations of Indian society. It affects innumerable aspects in innumerable ways, not only matters relating to race and religion, but also, importantly, economics, for it still largely determines the occupation, social intercourse and marital life of every individual born within its sphere of influence."

Post-Independence Change (1951): After India gained independence in 1947, the first census of independent India in 1951 saw a significant change. The government under then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru decided to discontinue the caste count except for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). This decision was based on beliefs that focusing on caste could perpetuate divisions and hinder national unity in a new independent nation.

1961 Directive: In 1961, a decade later, the central government was allowed to conduct their own surveys to prepare state specific lists of other backward classes (OBCs). This was in response to demands for affirmative actions for socially and educationally backward groups beyond the SCs and STs. However, no nationwide caste census was conducted.

Why Was the Caste Census Stopped?

The caste census in India was stopped after 1931 due to a combination of political, administrative and social reasons. The British government conducted the last full caste census in 1931, but found the process complex and socially divisive which led them to discontinue it. After Independence in 1947, Indian leaders including prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, felt that focusing on caste identity could harm the nation. Also, conducting caste census was administratively challenging due to the large number of castes and sub castes, many with overlapping names and unclear classifications. There were also concerns that such a census could fuel caste based politics, create social unrest and lead to increased demand for reservation. As a result, data on Schedule Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) continues to be collected (OBCs) and other castes have not been gathered since 1931.

Why is the Caste Census needed now?

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the consolidation of disadvantaged sections of society within the SCs, OBCs and STs around the opposition's agenda impacted the BJP’s numbers in many states and in fact, denied it a simple majority, unlike in 2014 and 2019, according to Mint . A senior BJP leader told news agency PTI that the party's lesson from the 2024 results was the need to make constant efforts to win over the deprived sections. These sections have been voting for the party in good numbers since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's advent on the national scene but are not its committed voters.

Why caste census matters?

Beyond statistics, the caste census has deep social and political implications.

According to activists, the data could help redesign affirmative action policies, improve representation, and address entrenched inequalities.

"Much of access to essential services in India-education, healthcare, nutrition, and social protection-is shaped by structural inequalities of caste, region, religion, and economic status. A caste census is critical to uncover these intersectional disparities and to design policies and programs that are truly equitable and inclusive," Poonam Muttreja, executive director, population foundation of India, told news agency PTI. While some view the caste census as necessary to uplift marginalised communities, others argue it may reinforce caste divisions.

Benefits Of Caste Census

The inclusion of caste data in the next census is expected to have far-reaching implications for policy-making and social justice. Experts and advocates highlight the following benefits:

Targeted Welfare Policies: A caste census will provide detailed information about socioeconomic status of different caste groups, helping the government identify marginalised communities and formulate inclusive growth strategies. For example, it can highlight inequalities in access to education, healthcare and employment, allowing for precise intervention.

Rethinking reservation policies: This data could inform the debate on reservation quotas, including the demand to remove the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs. Opposition leaders argue that accurate caste data will curb arbitrary demands and ensure fair representation in public employment and education.

Increasing transparency: Unlike state-based surveys, the national census under the Census Act is expected to provide standardized, reliable data, reduce political manipulation, and ensure accountability.

Which States Have The First Caste Census In India?

The Modi government's push for caste enumeration in the upcoming Census comes in the wake of the caste surveys conducted by at least three states—Bihar, Telangana, and Karnataka.

Bihar conducted the survey and published the data in 2023, when Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister, was the head of the JDU-RJD-Congress government. Telangana and Karnataka are both Congress-ruling states.

The Congress government in Telangana released its Socio Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste survey report in February last year. On Wednesday, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy reacted to the Central government's decision, saying that today, we have finally proven that what Telangana does today, India will follow tomorrow.

The Karnataka caste survey report, or the Socio-Economic and Education Survey, was commissioned during CM Siddaramaiah’s first term in 2015. However, the report was submitted to him only on February 29 this year. It was finally tabled before the CM Siddaramaiah Cabinet on April 11.