PROJECT REPORT

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

CASTE BASED CENSUS IN INDIA

Submitted to : Submitted by:

Professor Rattan Singh Name: Hasrat
Roll no: 48/22
Course: B.A.LL.B(Hons.)
Semester-3

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 Acknowledgement

The success and final outcome of this project required a lot of guidance and
assistance from many people and I am extremely fortunate to have got this all
along the completion of my project. Whatever I have done is only due to such
guidance and I would never forget to thank them.
I take this opportunity to record deep sense of gratitude to my teacher, Professor
Rattan Singh, University Institute of Legal Studies, Chandigarh for his
incontestably ,perfect unmatched guidance, encouragement, valuable
suggestions and efforts made during the preparation of this project and during
her lectures which enabled me to complete this project successfully on the topic,
Caste Based Census In India
I owe my regards to the entire faculty of the Department of Legal Studies from
where I have learnt the basics of law and whose informal discussions,
intellectual support helped me in the entire duration of this work.

Hasrat
B.A. LL.B (Hons.)
Semester- 3 (Sec-A)
Roll No.- 48/22

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What are Census and Socio Economic and Caste
census (SECC)?

Census in India:

The origin of the Census in India dates back to the colonial exercise
of 1881.
Census is used by the government, policymakers, academics, and others to
capture the Indian population, access resources, map social change, and
conduct delimitation exercises.
However, it has been criticized as a blunt instrument unsuited for
specialized inquiry.
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SECC (Socio-Economic and Caste Census):

SECC was first conducted in 1931 which aimed to collect information on

the economic status of Indian families, both in rural and urban areas, to
identify indicators of deprivation.
It also collects data on specific caste names to evaluate the economic
conditions of different caste groups.

Difference Between Census & SECC:

Census provides a general portrait of the Indian population, while SECC is

used to identify beneficiaries of state support.
Census data is confidential under the Census Act of 1948, while personal
information in SECC is open for use by government departments to grant
or restrict benefits to households.2

1
https://www.studyiq.com/articles/caste-based-census-in-india/
2
https://www.studyiq.com/articles/caste-based-census-in-india/

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The History of Caste-based Data Collection in India:

Caste-based data collection has a long history in India, with

information on castes being included upto 1931.
Post 1951, the decision to stop collecting caste data was made to move
away from a divisive approach and promote national unity.
However, with changing socio-political dynamics and the need for
accurate information, there has been a renewed call for a caste census.

Objectives of Caste Based Census in India:

To make it possible to rank homes according to their socioeconomic

standing. Then, state governments can compile a list of households that
are below the poverty level.
To make reliable information available so that the nation’s population can
be counted caste-by-caste.
To disseminate accurate information on the socioeconomic standing,
educational attainment, and position of various castes and segments of the
people.

What is the Significance of Caste Census?

 To Address Social Inequality:

o Caste-based discrimination is still prevalent in many parts of India.

A caste census can help identify the disadvantaged groups and bring
them to the forefront of policy making.
o By understanding the distribution of different caste groups, targeted
policies can be implemented to address social inequality and uplift
marginalized communities.
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3
https://secc.gov.in/

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 To Ensure Equitable Distribution of Resources:
o Without accurate data on the population of OBCs and other groups,
it is difficult to ensure equitable distribution of resources.
o A caste census can help in this regard by providing insights into the
socio-economic conditions and needs of different caste groups.
o It can guide policymakers in formulating policies that cater to the
specific requirements of each group, thereby promoting inclusive
development.

 To Monitor the Effectiveness of Affirmative Action Policies:

o Affirmative action policies such as reservations for OBCs and other
groups are aimed at promoting social justice. However, without
proper data on the population, it becomes challenging to evaluate
the impact and effectiveness of these policies.
o A caste census can help monitor the implementation and outcomes
of such policies, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions
regarding their continuation and modification

 To Provide a Comprehensive Picture of Indian Society:

o Caste is an integral part of Indian society, influencing social
relationships, economic opportunities, and political dynamics.
o A caste census can provide a comprehensive picture of the diversity
of Indian society, shedding light on the social fabric and interplay
between different caste groups.
 Constitutional Mandate:
o Our Constitution too favours conducting a caste census. Article
340 mandates the appointment of a commission to investigate the
conditions of socially and educationally backward classes and make
recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by
governments.

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Advantages of Caste Based Census in India:

 Encourages Making Rational Decisions: Policymakers will be able

to create better policies and implementation plans thanks to a caste
census, which would produce thorough data. It will also permit more
reasoned discussion on delicate topics.
 Rationale behind the reservation policy: A caste census, according
to some supporters, will also give reservation planners a more precise
sense of the affirmative action that is required. While this information
is now accessible for the SC and ST populations, it is largely believed
that the OBC population is 52%, as indicated by the Mandal
Commission. In order to investigate the sub-categorization of OBC
communities, the Justice Rohini committee was established in 2017.
However, without data, there can be no data bank or appropriate sub-
categorization.
 Encourages Democratic Policy-making: Those who support its
inclusion think that the activity will benefit the poor and aid in the
development of more effective and targeted welfare programs
nationwide. A caste census will raise a lot of issues that every
democratic nation should take into consideration. For example, the
results of this census will include information on caste-based
marginalization, poverty, the kind of employment that each caste pursues,
etc. It will facilitate improved policy-making.
 Bringing down the caste barrier: There is however a sizable corpus
of academic research by historians, political scientists, and sociologists
that rejects the welfare defence and claims that India’s failure to
conduct a caste census was its primary error in the fight against
caste. These academics contend that official caste blindness in a
casteist society leads to a denial of the network of benefits based on
caste that continue to favour those at the top of the caste system. The
upper castes, the SCs or the OBCs, are said to appear “caste-less,”
despite the fact that the word “caste” itself has come to be linked with
the “lower castes,” the OBCs or SCs.
 Legislative Purpose: A commission must be established in accordance
with Article 340 in order to look into the circumstances of the socially
and educationally underprivileged classes and recommend any actions
that governments should take .

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Disadvantages of Cast eBased Census in India:

 Possibly dividing: Caste-based division will result from the caste

census. A caste census would simply perpetuate the idea of caste, which
India is trying to do rid of and undermine.
 Operational challenges and practicality: The population census is not
the best tool for gathering information about caste. Caste, according to
some groups of people, is a significant source of privilege and benefit
in our nation. However, some groups of people feel hurt when caste-
based information is made public.
 Validity of the information given: Respondents may lie about their
jati (or sub-caste) or their material goods because a caste census will
be used to determine future reservations and welfare benefits.
Enumerators may also be strongly motivated to portray their
neighborhood as particularly impoverished. There may be efforts to
increase one caste group’s population at the detriment of others in areas
where that group is predominate. According to statistics, “non-
sampling errors” are probably fairly prevalent.
 Politics-driven distortions: Castes now playing a crucial role in
politics, it is impossible to rule out organised and convert motivated
returns. Such motivated returns have a significant impact on the census
findings and possibly jeopardize the process.
 Competition for state favors: A census is likely to be rejected or
corrupted if it is perceived largely as a social group competition for
governmental favor, according to the history of ethnic counts.
 Misrepresentation: Without addressing the basic issue of
misrepresentation, conducting a caste census will produce erroneous
results. Social groups that were offended by the data would then contest
it, possibly leading to protracted legal disputes. It is not contested that
people who need welfare and reservation benefits the greatest should
receive them. Implementing this concept is the difficult part. No Indian
politician or administrator has been able to solve the issue infallibly,
regardless of where they are in the nation.

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Challenges of CasteBased Census in India:

 Only a minority of those who are eligible for reservations will be

catered to. Furthermore, there is substantial disagreement over the
claim that India’s reservation policy inevitably contributed to the
rise of elite castes and communities. Therefore, the caste census and
reservation may favour caste elites.
 Caste division will result from the census of castes. A caste census
would simply perpetuate the idea of caste, which India is trying to
eradicate and undermine.
 Without a doubt, gathering caste-related data is difficult. Caste,
according to some groups of people, is a significant source of
privilege and benefit in our nation. However, some groups of people
feel hurt when caste-based information is made public. Caste
identifying and counting are therefore challenging tasks in India.
For instance, various states spell the same caste differently.
 Caste-based reservations may cause discontent among some groups
and give rise to requests for higher or different quotas. More such
demands could result from the caste census in the future.
 Note: The Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 produced
caste-based data that, according to the Union government, was
“unusable”. The Standing Committee on Rural Development was
nevertheless assured in 2016 by the Registrar-General and Census
Commissioner of India that 98.87% of the data on specific caste and
religion was “Mistake Free“.
 The SECC data indicates that there are more than 46 lakh distinct
castes, contrary to the government’s claim that 4,147 castes in total
were surveyed in 1931. Even if certain castes split into smaller
subcastes, the total number cannot increase exponentially to this
degree. The enumerators’ use of multiple spellings for the same
castes tainted the entire endeavor. According to the authorities, the
respondents had frequently declined to reveal their castes.

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What is the Government's Stand on a Caste Census?

 The Government of India in 2021 had stated in Lok Sabha that it has
decided as a matter of policy not to enumerate caste-wise
population other than SCs and STs in Census.

What is the Role of the Socio-Economic and Caste Census

(SECC)?

 The SECC conducted in 2011 was an attempt to collect comprehensive

data on socio-economic indicators along with caste information.
 However, due to concerns over data quality and classification
challenges, the raw caste data collected in the SECC has not yet been
released or utilized effectively.
 An Expert Group was formed to classify and categorize the raw data, but
its recommendations are still pending implementation.

What can be the Way Forward?

 Independent studies at district and state level can be conducted to
acquire the data of castes and subcastes at those levels.
 The data must not become a weapon for deepening faultlines and
increasing polarisation to win elections. It should not lead to the
splintering and shrinking of the very notion of representation in a large
and diverse democracy.
 Use of technologies such as Artificial intelligence and machine
learning can help in analyzing data.
 Subcategorization of OBCs to provide representation to
underrepresented subcastes of OBCs for which Justice Rohini
commission had recently submitted the report.

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Conclusion
While there are arguments for and against a caste census, accurate data on
the population of OBCs and other groups is necessary for promoting social
justice and ensuring equitable distribution of resources. A caste census can
also help monitor the effectiveness of affirmative action policies and
provide a comprehensive picture of Indian society. It is crucial for
policymakers to carefully consider the arguments of both the sides to
provide for a more equitable and just society

Also, Caste census results have never been universally accepted, most
likely as a result of opposition from various parties with a stake in the
outcome. The government ought to place greater emphasis on issues like
economic disparity, education, and health, etc.

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