Telangana becomes the third state to initiate a caste-based headcount, following Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The Telangana government has initiated the process of a comprehensive household caste survey in the state aimed at targeted and equitable resource distribution among all communities.
Details
Purpose of the survey
- The caste survey aims to promote targeted and equitable resource distribution among all communities, ensuring justice for weaker sections like OBCs, SCs, STs, and other marginalized groups.
Government’s commitment
- The caste survey was a key promise made by the ruling Congress party during the assembly election campaign.
Chief Secretary orders
- Telangana’s Chief Secretary, Santhi Kumari, issued orders for a door-to-door survey to be completed within 60 days. The Planning Department will oversee the process as the nodal department.
Socio-economic opportunities
- The survey is intended to improve access to socio-economic, educational, employment, and political opportunities for backward classes and marginalized sections.
Sub-classification of SCs
- A separate order from the Telangana SC Development Department calls for the creation of a six-member commission to study the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs), focusing on equitable distribution of reservation benefits.
Empirical research
- The commission will conduct scientific studies to examine socio-economic, political, and educational backwardness among SC sub-groups, aiming to improve representation in public services and educational institutions.
Bihar’s precedent
- Telangana follows Bihar, which completed the first successful caste survey in independent India.
- Bihar’s data showed OBCs forming 63.13%, SCs 19.65%, and STs 1.68% of the population.
Commission’s mandate
- The Telangana commission will submit its findings within 60 days, addressing how to effectively implement sub-classification within the SC community, based on the Supreme Court’s directive.
Andhra Pradesh’s initiative
- Earlier this year, Andhra Pradesh also launched a caste survey aimed at building a comprehensive database of its population based on caste.
Survey as a tool for welfare
- Telangana’s caste survey is expected to guide future government programs aimed at reducing inequalities and ensuring equitable growth across all sections of society.
Significance of Caste Census
- To Address Social Inequality
- To Ensure Equitable Distribution of Resources
- To Monitor the Effectiveness of Affirmative Action Policies
- To Provide a Comprehensive Picture of Indian Society
What is Caste Census and Caste Survey?
Census
- Census is the total process of collecting, compiling, analyzing and disseminating demographic, economic and social data of all persons in a country at a specific period of time.
- Census in India is conducted at regular intervals of 10 years.
- Every Census in independent India from 1951 to 2011 has published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but not on other castes.
- Before that, every Census until 1931 had data on caste. Hence there have been demands for Socio-economic caste census to be conducted for 2021.
Caste Census
- Caste census or more precisely Socio Economic caste census was conducted for the first time in Independent India in 2011.
- However the findings were never made public.
- The last published data for all castes was done in the 1931 census.
Caste Survey
- Since only the Union govt has the power to conduct a census, several state governments like Bihar have been conducting socio economic caste surveys to ascertain the social and economic status of different castes for better policy making.
- The latest released Bihar caste survey is the latest example of it.
| Summary/Static | Details |
| Why in the news? | Telangana becomes the third state to initiate a caste-based headcount, following Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. |
| Objective | Promote equitable resource distribution Ensure justice for OBCs, SCs, STs, and marginalized groups |
| Commitment | Promise made by the ruling Congress party during the assembly election campaign |
| Survey Process | Door-to-door survey to be completed within 60 days Managed by the Planning Department |
| Focus Areas | Improve socio-economic, educational, employment, and political opportunities for backward classes |
| Sub-classification of SCs | Commission to study the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) Study to improve representation in public services and educational institutions |