Caste Census To Be Conducted In 2 Phases, Govt Releases Official Notification, All You Need To Know

Summary

The Modi government has officially released the notification for the 16th national census in India, which will include caste enumeration for the first time since 1931. The census will begin in snowbound areas like Ladakh in October 2026 and continue across the rest of India by March 2027. The decision has sparked political debate, with Congress asserting it was a response to their demand, while the BJP calls it a historic step. Disagreements focus on the consultation process, with Congress pushing for a model like Telangana's, which includes extensive socioeconomic data, while the BJP counters, criticizing Congress for its inconsistent stance on caste surveys.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Modi government has officially announced the 16th national census with caste enumeration, set to begin in 2027, with a reference date of October 1, 2026, for snowbound regions like Ladakh.
• 😀 The Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the census preparations with senior officials, emphasizing the scale and complexity of the process, especially in remote areas.
• 😀 The census will be a digital operation, with data collection via apps and extensive training for enumerators and supervisors.
• 😀 The BJP has called the caste census a historic step, with the government fulfilling a long-standing demand.
• 😀 The Congress party claims credit for pushing the government to conduct the caste census, asserting their influence in the decision-making process.
• 😀 Political debates have emerged over the method of conducting the census, with Congress advocating for the Telangana model, which includes socio-economic data, while the BJP insists on transparency and a large-scale operation.
• 😀 Congress parliamentarians have questioned whether the data collected will be made public or sealed, stressing the importance of detailed socioeconomic data to address inequality and exclusion.
• 😀 The BJP criticized Congress for not releasing similar data collected during previous surveys, particularly the caste census data from 2011, which was not published due to election delays.
• 😀 There are concerns within Congress about whether the central government will genuinely follow the Telangana model, with its comprehensive parameters on income, education, land, and health.
• 😀 BJP spokespersons have accused Congress of hypocrisy, pointing out that the party has not implemented a detailed caste census in its own states like Karnataka, where they plan to redo the survey.
• 😀 The caste census debate highlights broader political divides, with each party seeking to shape the narrative surrounding caste-based data collection and its potential impact on social policies.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 2027 Indian Census announcement?

The 2027 Indian Census announcement is significant because it marks the inclusion of caste enumeration for the first time since 1931, which has sparked political debates and raised questions about the methods and data collection involved.

Why did the Congress party claim credit for the caste census decision?

The Congress party claims credit for the caste census decision because they have been advocating for it in Parliament, suggesting that the government was responding to their demands, particularly after years of opposition from the BJP.

What is the main criticism raised by Congress regarding the census process?

Congress has criticized the lack of consultation and transparency in the census process, specifically questioning whether the government will adopt the Telangana model, which includes a more detailed socio-economic survey.

What is the Telangana model that Congress is advocating for in the census?

The Telangana model for the caste census includes capturing 74 parameters such as income, education, land ownership, joblessness, health, housing, and more, aiming to provide a comprehensive socio-economic profile of castes in the country.

What did BJP spokespersons say about the caste census announcement?

BJP spokespersons defended the caste census announcement, calling it a historic step by the Modi government, fulfilling a promise that had been pending for many years.

Why did Congress question the intent behind the caste census?

Congress questioned the intent behind the caste census because of the lack of consultation and clarity on how the census will be conducted. They are concerned that it might be another unfulfilled promise, similar to previous claims by the BJP.

How does the BJP view Congress's criticism of the caste census?

The BJP views Congress's criticism as hypocritical, pointing out that Congress had been opposed to caste-based surveys in the past and failed to release caste survey data from Karnataka despite conducting it in 2013.

What does the census notification include, and what is its timeline?

The census notification includes the announcement that caste enumeration will be part of the 2027 Census, which will start in snowbound areas like Ladakh in October 2026 and continue in the rest of the country by March 2027.

How many personnel will be involved in the 2027 Census?

The 2027 Census will involve around 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors, with approximately 1.3 lakh census functionaries working on the operation.

What are the political implications of the caste census debate in India?

The caste census debate has significant political implications as it highlights the ongoing contest between Congress and BJP over the issue of caste-based reservations and data collection. It also reflects the challenge of balancing political promises with the practicalities of data gathering and representation.