Method to count caste during Census not yet decided, clarity likely by July: officials, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The methodology for caste enumeration in the upcoming Census 2027 is still under development, with preparatory exercises expected to be completed by July.
• The final questionnaire for caste enumeration is expected by September, coinciding with the start of the second phase (Population Enumeration) in specific regions.
• This Census will be the 16th and the first in independent India to count castes beyond Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• Data will be captured digitally via smartphones, mobile apps, and a self-enumeration portal.
• The Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) phase will occur from April to September 2026, and the PE phase in February 2027.

Detailed Insights:

• Opposition parties are questioning the absence of an expanded caste column in the initial phase of the Census 2027 questionnaire.
• Unlike the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), the caste enumeration will be part of the Census itself, providing it with statutory backing.
• The 2011 SECC counted over 46 lakh castes, while the 1931 Census identified 4,147 castes.
• Question 12 in the HLO questionnaire asks about SC/ST status but does not explicitly include Other Backward Classes (OBC) or General categories.
• The Telangana Government's Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey in 2025 is cited as a comprehensive model for gathering caste-wise information.
• There are approximately 2,650 OBC castes, 1,170 SC castes, and 890 ST castes in the central lists.
• The preparatory exercise for the Census initially covered only the HLO phase due to the pending decision on the caste methodology.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Census: A periodic count of a population, gathering demographic and socio-economic data.
• Caste Enumeration: The process of counting and classifying citizens based on their caste.
• Scheduled Castes (SC): Socially disadvantaged groups recognized by the Indian Constitution needing protection.
• Scheduled Tribes (ST): Indigenous communities recognized by the Indian Constitution needing protection.