Caste Census in India
Source: PIB
GS I: Indian Society
Overview
- Socio-economic data
- History of Caste Survey in India
Why in the News?
After the publication of a caste survey in Bihar, which found that 63% of Bihar’s 13 crore population belong to castes listed under the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised and rejected the demand for a nationwide caste census made by Opposition parties.
Socio-economic data
- National Sample Survey
- The average monthly per capita consumption expenditures (MPCE) of Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC) and OBC households in rural areas were, respectively 65%, 73% and 84% of the MPCE of the ‘Others’, i.e. the general category, as per the National Sample Survey (NSS), 2011-12.
- In urban areas, the average MPCE of ST, SC and OBC households were 68%, 63% and 70% of the general category in 2011-12.
- National Family Health Survey (NFHS4/ 2015-16)
- The persistence of inequality across caste categories in India can also be seen in the multidimensional poverty estimates based on the National Family Health Survey (NFHS4/ 2015-16).
- NIT, Rourkela research paper by scholars
- It has been estimated that while on average 25% of Indians were multidimensionally poor in 2015-16, the poverty ratio among STs was 44.4%, SCs 29.2%, OBCs 24.5% and Others 14.9%.
- STs, SCs and OBCs taken together comprised around 73% of the Indian population, they accounted for 84% of the country’s poor.
- Over 50% of India’s multidimensionally poor belonged to the OBC category.
- Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)
- Almost 28% of all Indians were multidimensionally poor in 2015-16.
- The poverty headcount ratio among STs was 50.6%, SCs 33.3%, OBCs 27.2% and Others 15.6%.
- As per this estimate, while STs, SCs and OBCs taken together comprised around 77.6% of the Indian population in 2005-06, this share increased to almost 84% of the country’s poor in 2015-16.
- The multidimensional poverty headcount ratio among Muslims at 31% was also higher than that of Hindus (28%), Christians (16%) and other religious communities (15.7%).
- Sachar Committee report (2006)
- Estimated that 31% of Muslims were Below the Poverty Line on the basis of the NSS 61st round, 2004-05.
- The poverty headcount ratio among SCs & STs together was 35%, Hindu OBCs 21% and other Hindus (general category) 8.7%.
- What does the data mean?
- Over the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic shift in the methodologies used to estimate poverty, which suggests that the amount of poverty has decreased considerably.
- Nonetheless, throughout time, India’s disproportionately high rates of poverty among Muslims, OBCs, SCs, and STs have not changed.
- This demonstrates unequivocally that poverty and deprivation are directly related to caste-based discrimination and exclusion against STs, SCs, and OBCs as well as religion, notably in the case of Muslims.
History of Caste Survey in India
- Caste-wise counts of the population were introduced under the British colonial administration in 1881 and continued till the 1931 census.
- Later after Independence, the government stopped the full caste census as it would help the caste division.
- After Independence, Census 1951, the government collected and published caste data of only SCs and STs.
- Socio-Economic and Caste Census
- The first time was conducted in 1931.
- It aimed to collect information on the economic status of Indian families
- This includes 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.
Significance of Caste Census
- Understand the contours of inequality.
- Provides data for policy formulation.
- Understand the socio-economic status of castes.
- Sample surveys might not be a true reflection of the current caste headcount in India.
Why is opposing the Caste Census?
- The exact population share of OBCs greater than or equal to 52%, as estimated by the Mandal Commission, would trigger demands for enhancing the 27% reservation quota for OBCs.
- Political parties can manipulate the data for their own selfish political gains.
Daily Current Affairs: Click Here