The last comprehensive caste enumeration in India occurred during the 1931 Census. Although the 1941 Census also collected caste data, the information was never processed or published due to the impacts of World War II.
In the 1951 Census, caste enumeration was largely omitted for most communities, excluding only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). This decision was influenced by Prime Minister Nehru’s vision for a classless society and an effort to minimize caste consciousness in official demographics.
The 1951 Census prioritized questions related to language, nationality, religion, and special groups, intentionally avoiding broad caste categories.
Established in 1953, the First Backward Classes Commission, led by Kaka Kalelkar, aimed to identify Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and propose welfare measures. This initiative arose from escalating demands for affirmative action to address social and economic backwardness.
A significant hurdle faced by the Commission was the absence of current caste data for OBCs. The Commission relied on outdated estimates, which were neither precise nor officially validated.
In 1951, the Registrar General estimated that around 11.5 crore individuals identified with approximately 930 backward castes. These figures were not derived from recent Census data and lacked reliability.
The Commission deemed these estimates unreliable, as they were primarily based on conjectures and inconsistent reporting from various communities. This raised questions about the usability of such data in policy formulation.
The Kalelkar Commission suggested conducting a fresh caste-based census in 1957 instead of the scheduled 1961 Census; however, this proposal was never actualized.
The 2011 SECC did gather caste-related information, but the Census Commissioner did not carry it out. Consequently, the caste data remained unpublished and unused due to concerns regarding its accuracy and methodology.
The Registrar General of India expressed skepticism over the quality of the SECC data and declined to certify it. As a result, only the socio-economic aspects of the SECC were utilized for welfare programs, leaving the caste data unreleased.
Following the 1951 Census, caste data has been utilized in reservation policies. The Mandal Commission, established in 1979, recommended a 27% reservation for OBCs in central services, which saw partial implementation in 1990.
As of April 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has approved the enumeration of caste in the upcoming Census. If executed, it would mark India’s first extensive caste enumeration since 1931.
Q1. When was the last comprehensive caste enumeration in India?
Answer: The last complete caste enumeration in India took place during the 1931 Census, with no official processing of caste data in 1941 due to World War II disruptions.
Q2. Why was caste excluded from the 1951 Census?
Answer: The 1951 Census excluded caste enumeration, except for SCs and STs, to promote a classless society and reduce caste consciousness in official statistics.
Q3. What was the Kalelkar Commission's purpose?
Answer: The Kalelkar Commission was set up to identify Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and recommend affirmative action for their welfare in response to growing social demands.
Q4. Was caste data collected in the 2011 SECC?
Answer: Yes, the 2011 SECC collected caste-related data, but it was never officially published due to concerns about its credibility and methodology.
Q5. What is the significance of the upcoming 2024 Census?
Answer: The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has approved caste enumeration for the 2024 Census, potentially marking the first comprehensive caste count in India since 1931.
Question 1: When was the last full caste enumeration in India?
A) 1941 Census
B) 1951 Census
C) 1931 Census
D) 1961 Census
Correct Answer: C
Question 2: What was the primary goal of the Kalelkar Commission?
A) To conduct the 2024 Census
B) To recommend reservation for SCs
C) To identify Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
D) To analyze caste data from 1931
Correct Answer: C
Kutos : AI Assistant!
