Understanding Caste Enumeration in the 2023 Census

What is caste enumeration?

The Union Cabinet has officially approved the inclusion of caste enumeration as a statutory exercise in the upcoming decennial Census. This initiative marks a significant shift from the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), as it will now operate under the legal framework of the Census Act, providing it with formal status and legitimacy.

How Will Caste Enumeration Be Conducted?

The enumeration process will be executed using modern technology:

• Conducted digitally via tablets or smartphones.
• Enumerators will utilize an official mobile app linked to the central Census database.
• A pre-approved caste code directory will be provided to ensure consistency and minimize errors.
• Respondents will select their caste from this list or choose "Other," subject to verification and later codification.

Differences from the 2011 SECC

This new enumeration process differs significantly from the previous SECC:

• The 2011 SECC was non-statutory, managed by the Ministry of Rural Development, and lacked support from the Census Act.
• Open-ended caste entries resulted in over 46 lakh names, many of which were repetitive or misspelled.
• In contrast, this enumeration will be strictly regulated within the Census Act framework, utilizing a curated code list.

What Castes Will Be Included?

A base list will be developed using the 1931 Census (which documented 4,147 castes) combined with state and central OBC lists (approximately 2,650 OBCs). Examples include:

• Central OBC list: Kushwaha, Kurmi, Goud, Jatav.
• SC list: Chamar, Dhobi.
• ST list: Gond, Bhil.

The code directory will be updated to prevent excessive variations while allowing legitimate ones.

Purpose of the Second Phase

The caste enumeration will take place during the second phase of the Census, following basic household data collection. This phase is critical, as it will gather information on caste identity and sub-caste relationships, linking them to existing welfare entitlements.

Post-Collection Data Usage

The data garnered from this enumeration will play a crucial role in:

• Delimiting Lok Sabha seats post-2026.
• Implementing 33% reservations for women, particularly for OBC women in legislative bodies.
• Influencing targeted welfare schemes, fund allocation, and educational quotas.
• Clarifying discrepancies in OBC identification across states.

Manpower and Scale of Enumeration

Approximately 30 lakh enumerators, primarily government school teachers and local officials, will be trained in digital data entry and caste code selection, ensuring an extensive and efficient enumeration process.

What If a Caste Is Not Listed?

If an individual's caste does not appear on the list, they may select "Other" and provide the name. For instance, if someone identifies as Rajbhar-Singh, it will undergo review. However, unlike the SECC, unverified names will not be counted until they are matched with existing classifications or validated during post-enumeration.

Challenges in Caste Enumeration

Several challenges may arise during the caste enumeration process:

• Resistance from upper caste groups fearing quota erosion.
• Pressure from caste lobbies seeking inclusion in the OBC list.
• Potential misreporting by individuals seeking policy advantages.
• Ensuring data security and preventing misuse of information.

Political Importance of Caste Enumeration

Caste enumeration has gained significant political attention, particularly as it aligns with major electoral events, such as the Bihar elections. It responds to longstanding demands from various parties, especially regional ones like RJD and SP, to count OBCs and secure their representation in Parliament and welfare schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the legal framework for the caste enumeration in 2023?
Answer: The caste enumeration in 2023 will be conducted under the legal framework of the Census Act, providing formal status and legitimacy to the exercise.

Q2. How is the caste enumeration different from the 2011 SECC?
Answer: Unlike the 2011 SECC, which was non-statutory and allowed open-ended caste entries, the current enumeration will follow a curated list of castes under the Census Act.

Q3. How will the data from caste enumeration be utilized?
Answer: The data will inform the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats, influence welfare schemes, and assist in implementing reservations for women, especially OBC women.

Q4. What challenges does the caste enumeration face?
Answer: Challenges include resistance from certain caste groups, potential misreporting, and ensuring data security to prevent misuse.

Q5. Why is caste enumeration politically significant now?
Answer: It is politically significant due to its timing with major elections and the long-standing demands for OBC representation in government policies.