Caste Census
Historical and Political Significance
Census-2027 will include caste enumeration — counting the population by caste — for the first time since 1931. Caste data in the census has been debated since independence. The Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) was conducted in 2011 but was never fully published. States like Bihar (2023) and Karnataka have conducted their own caste surveys. The inclusion of caste data in Census-2027 is politically significant as it will inform OBC (Other Backward Classes) reservation policy, welfare targeting, and delimitation.
- Last full caste census: 1931 (British India)
- SECC 2011: Conducted but data not fully released; separate from the regular census
- Bihar Caste Survey (2023): Found OBC + EBC population at ~63% of state total
- Constitutional provisions: Articles 15, 16 (reservations for SC/ST/OBC); Article 340 (backward classes commission)
- OBC reservations: 27% in Central government (Mandal Commission recommendation); data-driven revision requires updated population counts
- Delimitation link: Post-census Lok Sabha delimitation will reset electoral boundaries for the first time since 1977 freeze
● Tracked since March 05, 2026 · last seen May 02, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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