Will caste count data serve democracy
The Tribune Editorial: Article 16(4) of the Constitution mandates that reservations can be granted only to those classes that are inadequately represented in public services, not simply according to the population share.
Updated At : 07:12 AM Jun 06, 2025 IST
THE Centre’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming Census, scheduled to begin in March 2027, is a significant political and social milestone. After a six-year delay, the resumption of the Census — now with caste data — brings into focus both the promise of social justice and the perils of identity-based policymaking. The caste census has long been demanded by social justice advocates, especially with the last comprehensive data on caste dating back to the 1931 Census. It promises to offer an empirical foundation for welfare policy by unveiling the actual numerical strength and socio-economic conditions of various caste groups, including Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
