India includes caste enumeration in upcoming census

India's central government has decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming population census. This decision, announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, diverges from the practice in the decades following independence, when caste details were not systematically included in census counts. Historically, the last comprehensive enumeration of all castes occurred before independence, in 1931, while independent India has only recognized scheduled castes and tribes since 1951. As a result, issues of caste have remained largely under-documented, leading to socio-economic discrepancies that affect various communities. The shift towards including caste enumeration arises from ongoing debates around the political implications of caste in India. Although the Congress party and its coalition partners have previously advocated for a caste census, the current government has emphasized the need for a transparent and official inclusion. By positioning this inclusion as a way to prevent politicization, the government aims to provide a clearer understanding of the demographic contributions of different castes, particularly Other Backward Castes who have not been officially enumerated in recent decades. The census was initially scheduled for 2021 but has faced delays mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement comes at a politically significant time, with elections looming in states like Bihar, where caste considerations play a critical role in electoral politics. The government’s decision to incorporate caste information is likely to have profound implications for affirmative action programs, government job reservations, and college admissions that depend on caste categorization, effectively reshaping the socio-political landscape. By gathering reliable data on caste populations, policymakers could tailor affirmative action plans more effectively to address historical injustices and socio-economic disparities. As the country’s population exceeds 1.4 billion, precise data on caste distributions could lead to greater demands for changes in reservation policies, possibly influencing the political dynamics in various states. The Cabinet's resolution reinforces the government’s commitment to addressing social justice issues and could reshape caste dynamics as India moves forward.