After a gap of 14 years, the Government of India has announced that the next population census will be conducted alongside a nationwide caste census. This landmark decision, long demanded by leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, MK Stalin, and Akhilesh Yadav, is now officially endorsed by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. The announcement, though lacking a specific timeline, comes just ahead of assembly elections in Bihar this year and in West Bengal, Assam, and Kerala in 2026—making the timing politically significant.
📌 Why is the caste census important?
The regular population census includes data on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), but not on Other Backward Classes (OBC). OBCs constitute a significant portion of India’s population, and their socio-economic status has remained under-documented. In recent years, state-level caste surveys in Bihar, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have revealed a massive gap between government records and ground realities. These findings have reignited national-level demands for a caste-based census.
📌 What is at stake in Bengal?
In West Bengal, where the OBC population holds significant political weight, the caste census could become a pivotal factor. In the run-up to the 2021 Assembly elections, CM Mamata Banerjee promised to include communities like Mahishya, Tili, Tamul, and Saha in the state OBC list. Her government even passed a cabinet resolution, but such inclusion requires central approval. Moreover, the Calcutta High Court recently cancelled nearly 12 lakh OBC certificates, citing procedural flaws. The state government has challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court and sought three months to conduct a fresh survey. Amidst this legal uncertainty, the Centre’s caste census announcement could mount additional pressure on the state.
📌 BJP vs TMC: Political Tug of War
The ruling TMC views the Centre’s move as a poll gimmick, with Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik accusing the BJP of trying to “cross the electoral river” with such announcements. In contrast, BJP MP Manoj Tigga argues that caste enumeration is central to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of inclusive development.
While the BJP continues to hold sway over Matua and Rajbanshi communities in North Bengal, its influence among tribal voters in South Bengal weakened in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with TMC gaining ground in districts like Jhargram, Bankura, and Medinipur. Both parties are now expected to use the caste census to sharpen their appeal among OBC and tribal voters ahead of the 2026 elections.
📌 Challenges in Implementation
Independent experts caution that India lacks the experience to conduct a full-scale caste census, as such an exercise has never been undertaken since independence. Even in states where surveys were done, political bias and inconsistent methodologies created confusion. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw admitted that state-level surveys lacked a standard process. Hence, the Centre aims to establish a uniform framework across all states.
📌 The Risk of Social Discord
While the caste census could improve social justice and data-driven policymaking, it also comes with potential risks. Political scientist Prof. Prashanta Roy from Presidency University warns, “Caste-based violence has a dark history in India. This sensitive process must be handled with caution.” The hope is that the process remains transparent and inclusive, without fuelling social divisions.