KKN Gurugram Desk | In a landmark decision with potentially far-reaching political and social implications, the Government of India has announced that the 2025 national census will include caste-wise enumeration for the first time since independence. This move is expected to serve as the basis for a comprehensive revision of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list, which has remained largely unchanged due to the absence of updated data.

The decision was reportedly finalized in a high-level meeting involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat. Sources confirm that the leadership has aligned on using this data-driven approach to eliminate what they term “caste-based political manipulation”.

Why a Caste Census Now? Addressing Outdated Data and Political Gaps

Currently, India’s reservation framework for OBCs is based on data from the 1931 census, the last time caste-based population figures were officially recorded. This antiquated foundation has long been criticized for being inadequate and outdated.

Since 1931:

• No comprehensive caste census has been conducted.

• OBC population estimates remain largely speculative.

• Many castes have been included or excluded from reservation lists based on political pressures or limited local surveys.

The 2025 caste census aims to correct this by providing updated, empirical data about the social, educational, and economic status of every caste group in India.

RSS Takes a Strategic Stand: Data Collection, Not Political Weaponization

The RSS, long viewed as opposed to caste-based classification, clarified in a recent coordination committee meeting in Palakkad that it is not against caste-based data collection—but is opposed to its politicization.

By incorporating caste enumeration into the official census process, the government intends to:

• Prevent parallel surveys prone to manipulation

• Gather uniform, nationwide data applicable to all religions and communities

• Use caste data to make objective decisions on inclusion/exclusion from the OBC list

This approach aims to institutionalize transparency and fairness in reservation policies, rather than rely on inconsistent state-level surveys.

A Step Towards Permanent Caste Census Integration

According to senior officials, the Union Cabinet has also agreed to make caste-based enumeration a recurring feature, starting from 2025. If implemented, this would mean:

• Every decadal census (i.e., every 10 years) will include caste-wise data

• The government will regularly track educational, economic, and social indicators for each caste

• Real-time data will replace outdated estimations and political guesswork

Such periodic caste data could become a benchmark for updating the OBC list, identifying communities that have improved over time or require continued support.

Objective: Reform the OBC List Based on Facts, Not Pressure

The government’s long-term vision is to rationalize the OBC reservation system through:

• Removal of castes that no longer require reservation benefits

• Inclusion of newly identified socially and educationally backward groups

• A review process backed by data that can withstand judicial scrutiny

If successfully implemented, the caste census could allow policymakers to:

• Justify OBC list changes in Parliament

• Avoid populist appeasement tactics during elections

• Defend policy in courts like the Supreme Court, where current OBC classifications have often been challenged due to lack of data

The Legal and Political Weight of Caste Enumeration

Any significant restructuring of reservation policies will carry:

• Political consequences, particularly in states with entrenched caste-based vote banks

• Legal consequences, as the judiciary has repeatedly emphasized the need for quantifiable data in affirmative action policies

The availability of detailed caste statistics will enable:

• Stronger cases for both inclusion and exclusion in reservation categories

• Reduced ambiguity and favoritism

• Scientific policy-making, backed by clear socio-economic data

The Historical Gap: Why This Move Matters Now

India’s affirmative action policies have long operated in the absence of contemporary caste data. Post-1931:

• The British skipped caste enumeration in 1941, citing World War II costs.

• Post-independence governments, including the Nehru-led Congress, avoided caste data to discourage caste-based politics.

• In 1991, OBC reservations were introduced by the Mandal Commission, relying again on 1931 data.

Despite repeated demands, especially from regional parties and social justice groups, no caste data has been part of the main census—until now.

2011 SECC: Lessons from a Flawed Attempt

The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011, conducted by the UPA government, was a standalone survey that aimed to collect such data—but it was kept separate from the official census. Ultimately, it was:

• Plagued by inconsistencies and duplication

• Lacked public release and transparency

• Criticized for errors in caste classification

This experience has led the Modi government to integrate caste data into the national census to ensure standardization and credibility.

How Will the 2025 Caste Census Work?

As per internal discussions and official indications:

• All religious communities will be included

• Data will cover caste name, sub-caste, educational attainment, income level, employment

• The process will be digitized to prevent manipulation

• It will be coordinated by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India

The aim is not merely to count castes, but to build a data-driven social welfare infrastructure.

What Changes Could Be Expected in the OBC List?

With verified caste-wise data:

• Economically and educationally stronger castes may be removed from the OBC list

• Neglected and underrepresented communities may be included

• A new methodology may be introduced for evaluating backwardness, possibly integrating economic criteria

Such changes would realign reservation benefits with actual need, rather than historical assumptions.

Implications for Reservation Politics in India

This shift could:

• Weaken caste-centric vote bank politics

• Spark debates on creamy layer thresholds

• Influence state-level reservation lists, which vary widely across regions

• Redefine political narratives ahead of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections

Critics argue that this could also lead to new political demands and tensions, particularly from groups feeling threatened by possible exclusion.

The government’s decision to include caste enumeration in Census 2025 marks a turning point in India’s approach to affirmative action. With proper execution, it can:

• Restructure the OBC framework

• Make reservations more transparent and accountable

• Reduce caste-based vote bank exploitation

It will now be critical to watch how the government:

• Implements this policy

• Publishes the data

• Handles public, political, and judicial reactions

As India moves into a more data-conscious governance era, the caste census could either become a transformative social tool—or a fresh battleground in the complex landscape of Indian politics.