Caste Census and the Constitutional Mandate for Equality

A caste census is the systematic collection of data on all caste groups to assess their social, economic, and educational status. While India’s Census counts only SCs and STs since 1951, the last full caste enumeration was in 1931. Advocates see it as vital for equitable resource distribution and fulfilling the constitutional mandate of equality.

Recent Developments

  • In April 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the inclusion of detailed caste enumeration—including Other Backward Classes (OBCs)—in the upcoming national census. This marks the first full caste enumeration since 1931.
    • The census is set to be the first conducted digitally and aims to be ....
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Indian Polity And Governance