Answer

In May 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the inclusion of caste-based enumeration in the upcoming 2026 national Census the first since 1931 to count all caste groups. This move aims to enhance data-driven policymaking and promote social justice for marginalized communities.

Potential Benefits of Including Caste-Based Enumeration

• Evidence-Based Policymaking: Granular caste data enables targeted welfare interventions.
  Example: The Telangana 2024 SEEEPC Survey revealed Backward Classes constitute 56.33% of the population, guiding inclusive policies.
• Rationalizing Reservation Policies: Updated data can inform equitable reservation distribution.
  Example: The Supreme Court nullified Tamil Nadu’s 10.5% Vanniyar quota in 2022 due to outdated data, highlighting the need for current statistics.
• Addressing Intersectional Disparities: Identifies overlapping disadvantages among caste, gender, and region.
  Example: The Population Foundation of India emphasizes caste census to uncover such disparities for inclusive policymaking.
• Empowering Marginalized Communities: Provides visibility and voice to underrepresented groups.
• Strengthening Constitutional Mandates: Supports Articles 15 and 16 by enabling affirmative action through accurate data.
  Example: The government has granted constitutional status to the OBC Commission, enhancing its role in evaluating socio-economic status.

Limitations of Including Caste-Based Enumeration

• Risk of Social Fragmentation: May reinforce caste identities leading to societal divisions and caste-based politics .
• Data Collection Challenges: Enumerators face technical and awareness issues.
  Example: In Bengaluru, SC enumeration faced hurdles due to app glitches and public unawareness.
• Potential for Political Exploitation: Data might be used for vote-bank politics.
  Example: Opposition parties demand caste census to adjust quotas, potentially leading to politicization of data.
• Legal and Constitutional Hurdles: Revising reservations based on new data may face judicial scrutiny.
  Example: The Supreme Court’s 50% cap on reservations could be challenged with updated caste data.
• Privacy and Data Misuse Concerns: Sensitive caste information may be misused if not properly safeguarded.
  Example: Lack of statutory backing for caste data collection raises concerns about data security and misuse.

Ensuring Effective Welfare Policies from Collected Data

• Establishing Robust Legal Frameworks: Enact laws to protect data privacy and prevent misuse.
  Example: Implementing stringent data protection measures akin to the Personal Data Protection Bill can safeguard sensitive information.
• Transparent Data Dissemination: Publicly share anonymized data to foster trust and accountability.
  Example: The Telangana SEEEPC Survey released findings to guide public discourse and policy decisions.
• Periodic Review of Policies: Regularly assess and adjust welfare schemes based on updated data.
• Inclusive Policy Formulation: Engage stakeholders from marginalized communities in policymaking.
• Capacity Building for Enumerators: Train field staff to handle sensitive data collection effectively.

The inclusion of caste-based enumeration in the 2026 Census presents an opportunity to address historical injustices and craft targeted welfare policies. However, it necessitates careful implementation, robust legal safeguards, and inclusive policymaking to ensure that the data collected translates into tangible benefits for marginalized communities.