Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Wednesday, 30 April, that the caste census will be a part of the next national census exercise.
Addressing a press conference, the Union Minister said, "The cabinet committee of political affairs has decided today, on 30th April 2025, that cast enumeration should be included in the upcoming census," adding that this decision will "strengthen the social and economic structure of our society."
Attacking the Opposition, Vaishnaw continued, "Congress governments have always opposed the caste census. Caste was not included in all the Census operations conducted since independence."
"In 2010, the then-prime minister, late Dr. Manmohan Singh, had assured the Lok Sabha that the matter of caste census would be considered in the cabinet. A group of ministers was formed to consider this subject. Most of the political parties had recommended a caste census," he said.
Despite this, the Manmohan Singh-led government opted only for a caste survey- the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), rather than a full-fledged caste census, he claimed.
"It is well understood that Congress and its INDI alliance partners have used the caste census only as a political tool. Some states have conducted caste surveys non-transparently, which has created doubts in our society.”Ashvini Vaishnaw, Union Minister
Pressing on the ruling government's intent to ensure that "the social fabric is not disturbed by politics, Vaishnav added, "Caste enumeration should be transparently included in the census instead of surveys."
He framed this political move as consistent with the BJP's approach to welfare, citing the decision to implement a "10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of our society" as a precedent.
'Committed to Social Justice'
Taking to X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: "The Modi government, committed to social justice, has taken a historic decision today. In the CCPA meeting held today under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, a message of strong commitment towards social equality and rights of every section has been given by deciding to include caste census in the upcoming census."
"The Congress and its allies opposed the caste census for decades while in power and played politics over it while in the opposition. This decision will empower all economically and socially backward classes, promote inclusion and pave new paths for the progress of the deprived," he added.
The decison comes in the backdrop of the Congress, led by Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, having made it a poll plank of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
"We will get an X-ray of India done to ascertain population of various caste groups," Gandhi had said at a rally in Uttar Pradesh in April last year. He had also promised to amend the Constitution to raise the 50 per cent cap on quota for marginalised groups, i.e. scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes.
"The day caste census data comes into the hands of a Congress government, the whole paradigm of development will change," he said.
Congress president Kharge linked the increasing demand for caste census to growing inequality. "India's richest 1% enjoy 22.6% of national income, while the poorest 50% get only 15%," he said.