CASTE CENSUS (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 - Population Associated Issues)

Context:  The central government has not enumerated caste-wise populations other than Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Census since independence.

• In the Census, the castes and tribes which are specifically notified as Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as per the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time, are enumerated.

Caste Census

• About: Caste Census is the demand to include the caste-wise tabulation of India’s population in the upcoming exercise. 
• Background: Caste was last included in the Indian Census in 1931 at the time by the Britishers. 
• From 1951 to 2011, every census in independent India provided data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes but not on other castes. 
• The Britishers ended the practice in the 1941 Census, citing cost restrictions. 

• Importance of Cast Census:

• Equitable representation
• Enumerating the marginalised
• Removes caste rigidities
• Data for Policy Making
• Judicial support
• Implications: In the absence of such a census, there is no reliable estimate of the number of OBCs, other categories within OBCs, and others.
• SECC 2011:  Conducted in 2011 for the first time since 1931.
• It is meant to canvass every Indian family, both in rural and urban India, and ask about their Economic status and specific caste name.