Caste Census in India
The caste census refers to the official gathering of data regarding the caste identities of individuals during the population census. Recently sanctioned by the Government of India, this initiative is anticipated to have a significant impact on electoral boundaries, welfare programs, and reservation policies. This article delves into the meaning, recent updates, advantages, challenges, and the significance of the caste census for those preparing for the UPSC.
Caste Census in India
The caste census has emerged as a prominent issue in India’s policy discussions, especially following the Union Cabinet’s recent approval for caste enumeration in the forthcoming population census. This decision represents a departure from the government’s previous position and arises in response to increasing demands for precise data on caste demographics. For UPSC aspirants, it is crucial to comprehend the concept, objectives, and consequences of the caste census. This topic holds importance not only in governance and policy-making but also in fostering social justice and equitable development across diverse communities.
What is Caste Census?
A caste census involves the systematic collection of information about individuals’ caste identities during a population census. The goal of this enumeration is to compile empirical data on different caste groups, which allows the government to evaluate socio-economic inequalities and devise more inclusive policies. While Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been counted since 1951, the last comprehensive caste enumeration took place in 1931 during British rule.
Caste Census Meaning in Hindi
เคเคพเคคเคฟ เคเคจเคเคฃเคจเคพ เคเคพ เค เคฐเฅเคฅ เคนเฅ เคเคจเคธเคเคเฅเคฏเคพ เคเคฃเคจเคพ เคเฅ เคฆเฅเคฐเคพเคจ เคตเฅเคฏเคเฅเคคเคฟเคฏเฅเค เคเฅ เคเคพเคคเคฟเคฏเฅเค เคธเฅ เคธเคเคฌเคเคงเคฟเคค เคเคพเคจเคเคพเคฐเฅ เคเคเคคเฅเคฐ เคเคฐเคจเคพเฅค เคเคธเคฎเฅเค เคฏเคน เคชเคคเคพ เคฒเคเคพเคฏเคพ เคเคพเคคเคพ เคนเฅ เคเคฟ เคตเคฟเคญเคฟเคจเฅเคจ เคเคพเคคเคฟเคฏเฅเค เคเฅ เคธเคเคเฅเคฏเคพ เคเคฟเคคเคจเฅ เคนเฅ, เคเคจเคเฅ เคธเคพเคฎเคพเคเคฟเค เคเคฐ เคเคฐเฅเคฅเคฟเค เคธเฅเคฅเคฟเคคเคฟ เคเฅเคฏเคพ เคนเฅ, เคเคฐ เคเคจเฅเคนเฅเค เคเคฟเคจ-เคเคฟเคจ เคธเคฐเคเคพเคฐเฅ เคฏเฅเคเคจเคพเคเค เคเคพ เคฒเคพเคญ เคฎเคฟเคฒ เคฐเคนเคพ เคนเฅเฅค เคเคธเคธเฅ เคธเคฐเคเคพเคฐ เคเฅ เคฏเคน เคธเคฎเคเคจเฅ เคฎเฅเค เคฎเคฆเคฆ เคฎเคฟเคฒเคคเฅ เคนเฅ เคเคฟ เคเคฟเคจ เคตเคฐเฅเคเฅเค เคเฅ เคเคฐ เค เคงเคฟเค เคธเคนเคพเคฏเคคเคพ เคเฅ เคเคตเคถเฅเคฏเคเคคเคพ เคนเฅเฅค เคเคพเคคเคฟ เคเคจเคเคฃเคจเคพ เคธเคพเคฎเคพเคเคฟเค เคจเฅเคฏเคพเคฏ เคธเฅเคจเคฟเคถเฅเคเคฟเคค เคเคฐเคจเฅ, เคจเฅเคคเคฟเคฏเฅเค เคเฅ เคธเคเฅเค เคฌเคจเคพเคจเฅ เคเคฐ เคตเคเคเคฟเคค เคตเคฐเฅเคเฅเค เคเฅ เคเคฒเฅเคฏเคพเคฃ เคนเฅเคคเฅ เคเค เคฎเคนเคคเฅเคตเคชเฅเคฐเฅเคฃ เคเคฆเคฎ เคฎเคพเคจเฅ เคเคพเคคเฅ เคนเฅเฅค
Why Is Caste Census in News?
The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has recently given the green light for the enumeration of castes in the upcoming national census. This marks a significant shift in policy, as the government had previously shown resistance to this idea in Parliament. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned that this initiative would help to strengthen the social and economic framework of society while the nation progresses.
This decision is anticipated to have extensive implications, including:
– Redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries
– Implementation of womenโs reservation in elected bodies
– Support for increased quota demands and sub-categorization
Why is Caste Census Done?
The call for a caste census is closely tied to the necessity for accurate, data-driven governance. Notable examples like the Mandal Commission highlight how empirical data is crucial in shaping initiatives aimed at social justice. While there have been long-standing demands for a national caste census, only Bihar has taken steps independently by completing a state-level caste survey in 2023.
Arguments in Favor of Caste-Based Census
– Accurate Data for Targeted Welfare: This facilitates the government in identifying and assisting marginalized groups more effectively.
– Identify Disparities: It uncovers inequalities in education, employment, and resource allocation.
– Strengthen Affirmative Action: It enables policies like reservations to be grounded in current and precise data.
– Promote Social Justice: This supports better representation and assistance for historically disadvantaged communities.
– Policy Evaluation and Reform: It provides policymakers the ability to assess and enhance existing welfare programs.
Arguments Against Caste-Based Census
– Perpetuation of Caste Divisions: It may reinforce caste identities and widen social gaps.
– Focus on Caste Over Development: This could divert attention from broader developmental challenges such as poverty and education.
– Inaccurate Representation: Caste data may suffer from inaccuracies due to changing identities and people’s hesitance to reveal their caste.
– Risks to National Integration: It might foster competition among communities, affecting social harmony.
Recent Developments in Caste Census
In a notable policy shift, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has sanctioned the inclusion of caste data in the upcoming Census. This decision acknowledges a long-standing demand for thorough caste enumeration. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the caste census would enhance the social and economic fabric of society as the nation advances.
The data collected is expected to influence:
– Redrawing of constituency boundaries
– Implementation of womenโs reservation in elected bodies
– Increased quota demands and sub-categorization
Government and Public Stand for Caste Census Issue
While previous governments expressed concerns regarding caste-based enumeration, the current decision indicates a growing political consensus. Nonetheless, it remains a topic of contention, with state-level initiatives, like Biharโs survey, underscoring the importance of localized caste data while raising questions about national implementation.
Grasping the caste census in India is vital for UPSC aspirants, particularly in areas related to governance, social justice, and policy development. Regardless of oneโs stance on the issue, the caste census is set to redefine how India perceives and addresses caste-related disparities. As aspirants, it is essential to understand both perspectives of the debate and its ramifications for India’s democratic and social landscape.
