OBC column missing from census questionnaire, says Congress

Published 2026-08-18 · Updated 2026-08-18 · 4 min · 640 words

What does this development mean for UPSC preparation?

Congress alleges OBC category missing from census questionnaire, calling it a conspiracy to avoid caste data.

Congress alleges OBC category missing from census questionnaire, calling it a conspiracy to avoid caste data.

Polity and Governance: issues relating to social justice, census, and welfare schemes for vulnerable sections.

Important for understanding debates on caste census, data-driven policymaking, and social justice in India.

OBC column omitted from census questionnaire, sparking political controversy.

Congress claims the 10th question in the census questionnaire lacks a separate OBC category, undermining caste enumeration.

The Census of India is conducted decennially under the Census Act, 1948, but has not collected caste data since 1931 except for SC/ST.
The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 collected caste data but was not released due to data quality issues.

Open-ended caste questions can lead to inconsistent data due to regional synonyms and spelling variations.
A scientific caste census requires a pre-defined caste list to ensure comparability and accuracy.

Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India is responsible for conducting the census.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment deals with OBC welfare policies.

The omission of OBC category raises questions about the government's commitment to social justice and equitable representation.
A caste census is essential for evidence-based affirmative action policies and to assess the effectiveness of reservations.
The controversy highlights the tension between political interests and constitutional mandates for social justice.
The demand for a caste census has been a long-standing issue, with opposition parties using it to mobilize OBC support.

An open-ended caste question can lead to data fragmentation, making it difficult to formulate targeted welfare schemes.
The lack of standardized caste categories may result in undercounting or overcounting of specific communities, affecting resource allocation.
The government's approach to the census may impact the credibility of official statistics and public trust in data collection.
The Telangana model of using a pre-defined caste list offers a potential template for a more scientific enumeration.

Caste identity remains a significant factor in Indian society, influencing political mobilization and social dynamics.
Accurate caste data is crucial for addressing historical injustices and ensuring inclusive development.
The debate over caste census can either deepen social divisions or pave the way for more equitable policies.

A caste census is necessary to evaluate the impact of reservation policies and to identify communities that remain underrepresented.
The absence of OBC data undermines the constitutional goal of social justice and equitable distribution of resources.
The government's reluctance to conduct a caste census may be driven by political calculations rather than administrative concerns.
A scientific caste census can help in rationalizing reservation policies and targeting welfare measures effectively.

Telangana's caste survey used a 54-question questionnaire with a list of 242 castes, providing a model for a scientific approach.

The Congress claims that enumerators may collect as many as 46 lakh different castes due to open-ended questions.

Conducting a caste census may reinforce caste identities and lead to social fragmentation.
The government may argue that the census is not the appropriate instrument for caste enumeration and that a separate survey is needed.
There are concerns about the accuracy and reliability of caste data collected through self-reporting.

Adopt a standardized caste list in the census questionnaire to ensure accurate and comparable data.
Learn from state-level initiatives like Telangana's caste survey to design a scientific enumeration methodology.
Ensure transparency in the census process and release caste data in a timely manner to inform policy decisions.
Engage with stakeholders, including OBC organizations and experts, to build consensus on the need for a caste census.
Use the caste data to review and rationalize reservation policies and target welfare schemes effectively.

Primary/reference source: thehindu.com