New Delhi, May 11 — The longstanding Census Act of 1948 does not require any amendments to enable enumerators to collect caste-related information during the next nationwide census, senior government officials have clarified.
The officials noted that the law, which was last revised in 1994, already provides the central government with the authority to collect various kinds of information from citizens, including details related to caste, as specified in the official census form.
Legal Provisions Support Caste Enumeration
Citing Section 8 of the Census Act, the officials explained that census officers are empowered to ask any questions that they are directed to ask. Citizens are legally obligated to respond truthfully to these questions to the best of their knowledge or belief.However, the law does offer specific privacy protections. Individuals are not compelled to disclose the name of any female household member, and women are not required to state the name of their husband, deceased husband, or any other person whose name they are culturally restricted from mentioning.
Historical Context of Caste Data Collection
Caste enumeration was a standard practice during British rule, with all castes counted in censuses from 1881 to 1931. However, post-independence, the Indian government opted to exclude caste details from the census beginning in 1951, limiting such data collection to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).In 1961, the central government gave states the discretion to conduct their own surveys and compile state-specific lists of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a policy that has continued since.
Government Greenlights Caste Census
After persistent demands from political parties and community organizations over the years, the central government announced last month that the upcoming census will include caste enumeration. This decision marks a significant policy shift aimed at gathering more granular socio-economic data.Officials also emphasized that all information shared during the census is strictly confidential and cannot be used against any individual in legal or administrative proceedings.
