Cabinet Committee Approves Inclusion of Caste Census in Upcoming Census
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Decision | Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs decides to include caste-based census in the upcoming census. |
| Constitutional Basis | Census is a Union subject under Article 246, listed at 69th position in the Seventh Schedule. |
| State Surveys on Caste | Some states conducted caste surveys, but lacked transparency and had different objectives. |
| Political Influence | Some surveys were politically motivated, causing social ambiguity. |
| Objective | Ensure social fabric remains free from political pressure and maintain social-economic strength. |
| Reservation Context | 10% reservation for economically weaker sections did not create tension in any community. |
| Historical Context | Caste excluded in all censuses since independence. |
| 2010 Developments | Former PM Manmohan Singh assured Lok Sabha of considering caste-based census, but opted for SECC instead. |
| Political Parties' Stance | Most political parties recommended a caste-based census. |