The last caste census was in 1931. A look back at its findings | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

Daily News Summary

Get concise and efficient summaries of key articles from prominent newspapers. Our daily news digest ensures quick reading and easy understanding, helping you stay informed about important events and developments without spending hours going through full articles. Perfect for focused and timely updates.

News Summary

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

The last caste census was in 1931. A look back at its findings

2 min read

Decision on Caste Census in India

The Union Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has announced the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming population Census. This move has been a long-standing demand, particularly from opposition parties like the Congress.

Background and Historical Context

  • The last nationwide caste census was conducted in 1931 by the British colonial government.
  • The 1931 Census showed Other Backward Classes (OBC) as 52% of the population, influencing the Mandal Commission's 1980 recommendation for OBC reservations.
  • The Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) initiated in 2011 by the UPA government did not release specific caste data.

Challenges in Caste Census

  • The 1931 Census faced numerous challenges: 
    • Non-cooperation movements and political resistance, including Gandhi's salt march.
    • Methodological inconsistencies, such as changes from using "varna hierarchy" to occupation-based classifications.
    • Resistance from caste groups attempting to improve their social status through the Census.
  • J.H. Hutton, the Census Commissioner in 1931, critiqued the varna hierarchy method, opting to classify castes by occupation to avoid social precedence biases.
  • Fluidity and evolution of caste identities, with some groups changing names or status between censuses, pose ongoing challenges.

Modern Implications and Considerations

Experts  highlight the continued complexity in conducting a caste census today, drawing parallels to the 1931 challenges.

  • Defining caste and standardizing names across regions remain significant hurdles.
  • Dynamic identity claims, such as groups changing caste status or merging, complicate enumeration.
  • Lack of uniform classification criteria could hinder the accuracy and utility of modern caste data.

Conclusion

As India considers a new caste census, it must address historical challenges and contemporary dynamics to ensure an accurate and useful enumeration process.

  • Tags :
  • Caste Census in India
  • J.H. Hutton
Subscribe for Premium Features