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The Narendra Modi-led NDA government is contemplating a significant shift in its approach to the upcoming caste census, scheduled to coincide with the population enumeration phase of the Census in 2027. In a move aimed at avoiding the pitfalls that plagued the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), the government is considering utilizing both the Central List and the State Lists of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for the enumeration process. This decision, which is still under discussion, represents a departure from potentially relying solely on the Central List and reflects a concerted effort to ensure a more accurate and comprehensive representation of the OBC population across the country. The rationale behind this proposed amalgamation stems from the recognition that the Central List, while encompassing a substantial number of OBC castes, does not encompass all castes included in the OBC lists maintained by individual states. Consequently, relying solely on the Central List could result in an underestimation of the total OBC population within specific states and potentially lead to protests and concerns regarding the fairness and accuracy of the census data. The government source highlighted that using just the Central List would produce a misleading number of OBCs in each state. The decision to incorporate both lists demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and a desire to capture the diverse tapestry of caste identities prevalent across the Indian landscape. This approach acknowledges the variations in caste recognition and classification that exist at the state level, where certain castes may be recognized as OBCs while not being included in the Central List. By integrating both datasets, the government aims to create a more holistic and representative picture of the OBC population, thereby fostering greater trust and acceptance of the census results. Furthermore, the government is leveraging technological advancements to streamline the caste enumeration process. Unlike the 2011 SECC, which relied heavily on manual data collection and entry, the upcoming census will be conducted digitally, utilizing a dedicated mobile application and portal. This digital infrastructure is expected to enhance data accuracy, reduce errors, and facilitate efficient data processing and analysis. The census enumeration app and portal will be upgraded to include options for OBC caste identification, either through a separate category or within a broader ‘Others’ category. This digital approach will also enable the Registrar General of India (RGI) to maintain a comprehensive database that cross-references caste entries with both the Central and State OBC lists, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the enumeration process. The inclusion of a drop-down menu with all the caste listings from both the Central and State OBC lists, as well as other castes if the ‘Others’ category is used, highlights a robust attempt at comprehensive data capturing. The RGI is expected to play a crucial role in validating and compiling these lists, working in close coordination with state governments to ensure that they are up-to-date and accurate. This collaborative approach is essential to address any discrepancies or inconsistencies between the Central and State OBC lists and to ensure that the final census data reflects the ground reality accurately. The process of updating and compiling these lists is expected to be completed before the houselisting phase of the Census in 2026, although updates can still be made until the population enumeration phase. This timeline underscores the government's commitment to thorough preparation and rigorous data validation. The government's decision to undertake a caste census is not without its historical context. The 2011 SECC, conducted by the then Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, faced significant challenges due to data inaccuracies and inconsistencies. The raw data from the 2011 SECC was found to contain millions of erroneous entries, including duplicate caste names, spelling variations, and incorrect classifications. These issues rendered the data unreliable and unusable, leading successive governments to refrain from releasing the findings publicly. The key challenge identified in the 2011 SECC was the reliance on self-declaration of caste names by respondents. This resulted in a lack of standardization and consistency in the data, making it difficult to consolidate and classify the information into a validated national caste list. In response to these shortcomings, the government is adopting a more structured and systematic approach to the upcoming caste census. By utilizing pre-defined lists of OBC castes from both the Central and State lists, the government aims to minimize errors and inconsistencies in the data. Furthermore, the digital infrastructure will facilitate data validation and quality control, ensuring that the final census data is accurate and reliable. The incorporation of both central and state lists, combined with the usage of digital tools will ensure that the upcoming census will produce more reliable results. The government’s determination to learn from the mistakes of the 2011 SECC is evident in its meticulous planning and execution of the upcoming caste census. The government's willingness to embrace technological advancements and adopt a collaborative approach with state governments underscores its commitment to producing a high-quality and reliable dataset that can inform policy decisions and promote social justice. The government's effort to compile and standardize caste lists, drawing from both central and state resources, is crucial for improving the accuracy of the census. The upcoming caste census holds significant implications for policy-making and social justice initiatives in India. Accurate and reliable data on caste demographics can inform the design and implementation of targeted programs and policies aimed at addressing social and economic inequalities. The data can also be used to assess the effectiveness of existing affirmative action policies and to identify areas where further interventions are needed. Furthermore, the caste census data can provide valuable insights into the social dynamics and power structures within Indian society. It can help to identify marginalized communities and to understand the challenges they face in accessing education, employment, and other essential resources. This knowledge can then be used to develop more effective strategies for promoting social inclusion and reducing discrimination. The government's decision to undertake a caste census reflects a growing recognition of the importance of caste as a factor in shaping social and economic outcomes in India. It also signals a commitment to addressing the historical injustices and inequalities that have been perpetuated along caste lines. The successful completion of the caste census will require careful planning, meticulous execution, and close collaboration between the central government and the state governments. It will also require the active participation and cooperation of the public, who must be informed about the purpose and importance of the census. The government needs to have a transparent communication strategy to encourage citizens to participate in the enumeration process. The data collection phase is expected to have challenges. The upcoming census requires the citizens to be co-operative to provide the most accurate data for the census. The forthcoming caste census is a significant endeavor that has the potential to reshape our understanding of Indian society and to inform policy decisions that promote social justice and equality. By learning from the mistakes of the past and embracing innovative approaches, the government can ensure that the caste census is a success. The implications of the census will be evident in many ways, including but not limited to, government policy, social justice initiatives, and the overall understanding of Indian society. The success of the caste census will not only depend on accurate data collection but also on responsible usage of the data. The data can be misused to create divisions in the society. The successful implementation of this task will depend on the government being transparent and communicative with all the stakeholders. Only with collaboration can the census achieve its desired goals. The government’s decision to combine both central and state OBC lists for the census shows a commitment to inclusion. This will provide a more accurate and comprehensive view of the OBC population in India.
The key challenge in conducting a caste census lies in accurately identifying and categorizing individuals based on their caste. Caste is a complex and multifaceted social construct, and its meaning and significance can vary across different regions and communities. Moreover, individuals may identify with multiple castes or sub-castes, making it difficult to assign them to a single category. The government needs to have a clear and well-defined classification of all the different castes to ensure accurate data collection. Furthermore, the accuracy of the caste census data depends on the willingness of individuals to truthfully disclose their caste identity. In some cases, individuals may be reluctant to reveal their caste due to concerns about discrimination or social stigma. It is essential to create a safe and confidential environment for individuals to participate in the census without fear of reprisal. The government should also ensure that the census process is conducted in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner, taking into account the diverse customs and traditions of different communities. The implementation of the digital portal and census app will improve the efficiency of the census. This will allow for the data to be collected easier. The challenge is that there are many people, especially in rural India, without access to digital devices. There is also the challenge of educating the people to correctly utilize the portal for data collection. Training and outreach programs will be needed to educate and ensure everyone can provide the correct information. In addition to these practical challenges, there are also ethical considerations associated with conducting a caste census. Some argue that the very act of enumerating caste can reinforce caste identities and perpetuate social divisions. The government must be mindful of these concerns and take steps to mitigate any potential negative consequences. It is important to emphasize that the purpose of the caste census is not to create new forms of discrimination or to further marginalize vulnerable communities. Rather, the goal is to gather data that can be used to promote social justice and equality. The collected data should only be used to assist policy-making and never to make decisions that would cause more division. By providing an accurate picture of the caste population of India, the census is one step to addressing the various social and economic inequalities that persist. The data collected should be used responsibly and ethically to address inequalities without reinforcing caste identities.
The Registrar General of India (RGI) plays a pivotal role in the successful conduct of the caste census. The RGI is responsible for overseeing the entire census process, from the design of the census questionnaire to the compilation and analysis of the census data. The RGI must ensure that the census is conducted in accordance with established statistical principles and ethical guidelines. The RGI must also ensure that the census data is accurate, reliable, and representative of the Indian population. The RGI will work with the state government to update the caste lists prior to the houselisting phase of the Census in 2026. The RGI will need to ensure that both the central and state OBC lists are available in the census app for the population to identify and categorize themselves. The RGI would also be responsible for data management and data analysis. With the large amounts of data collected, the RGI would be responsible for ensuring that the data integrity and security is upheld. The RGI also need to present the findings of the data analysis in a way that is clear, unbiased, and accessible to the public. In addition to its technical responsibilities, the RGI also plays a crucial role in building public trust and confidence in the census process. The RGI must communicate effectively with the public about the purpose and importance of the census and address any concerns or misconceptions that may arise. The RGI must also ensure that the census process is transparent and accountable, and that the census data is used responsibly and ethically. The RGI is an essential element in ensuring the success of the caste census. The RGI must carry out the census with utmost care and consideration. The government should provide the resources and the support necessary for the RGI to carry out this crucial role.
Source: Caste census may club Central, State OBC Lists as Govt looks to avoid 2011 pitfalls