Caste Enumeration to Be Included in India's Forthcoming Census

The Indian government has announced the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming census. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the census's central jurisdiction, noting some states have conducted their surveys. The initiative aims for transparency and counters accusations of political bias in state-led exercises.

In a significant development, the Indian government declared on Wednesday its plan to integrate caste enumeration into the upcoming national census mission, ensuring its implementation with transparency.

During a Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw underscored that conducting the census falls under the central government’s authority, although some states have proceeded with caste surveys independently.

Vaishnaw accused states governed by opposition parties of using caste surveys for political maneuvering, stating that the current administration is committed to an impartial and transparent inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming country-wide census. Initially slated for April 2020, the census faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(With inputs from agencies.)