India’s upcoming census (by March 2027) will include caste for the first time since 1951. Will this help improve social justice and policy targeting, or risk reinforcing caste divisions?
- India’s upcoming census (by March 2027) will include caste for the first time since 1951. Will this help improve social justice and policy targeting, or risk reinforcing caste divisions?
India’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census marks a significant policy shift with far-reaching social and political implications. Whether this step advances social justice and improves policy targeting or risks reinforcing caste divisions depends largely on its inteRead more
India’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census marks a significant policy shift with far-reaching social and political implications. Whether this step advances social justice and improves policy targeting or risks reinforcing caste divisions depends largely on its intent, design, and subsequent use.
On the positive side, comprehensive caste data can strengthen evidence-based policymaking. India’s welfare and affirmative action frameworks are deeply intertwined with caste realities, yet they currently rely on outdated or estimated figures. Accurate and up-to-date data can help identify persistent socio-economic disparities, enable more precise targeting of welfare schemes, and ensure that benefits reach genuinely disadvantaged groups. It may also support more informed debates on reservations, resource allocation, and inclusive development, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.
Furthermore, caste enumeration can help policymakers recognise intra-group inequalities that often remain invisible under broad social categories. By integrating caste data with indicators such as education, employment, health, and income, the state can design interventions that are more responsive to actual conditions rather than assumptions.
However, the exercise also carries notable risks. Critics argue that officially enumerating caste may reinforce social identities that India has long sought to transcend. There is concern that such data could be politicised, encouraging competitive identity-based mobilisation rather than fostering a shared developmental agenda. If misused, caste statistics could deepen social polarisation and entrench divisions instead of addressing structural inequalities.
There are also practical and ethical challenges related to data accuracy, classification, and privacy. Ensuring uniform self-identification, preventing misreporting, and safeguarding sensitive information will be essential to maintain public trust in the census process.
In conclusion, caste enumeration in the census is neither inherently progressive nor inherently divisive. Its impact will depend on how responsibly the data is collected, interpreted, and applied. If used as a tool for inclusive, evidence-based policymaking with strong safeguards against political misuse, it can advance social justice. If handled poorly, it risks reinforcing the very hierarchies it seeks to address. The challenge, therefore, lies not in the data itself, but in the governance framework that surrounds it.
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