India may expand census to include more questions around caste | India News – Times of India

India may expand census to include more questions around caste | India News – Times of India



Authorities is contemplating increasing questions round caste in an upcoming inhabitants census, an individual conversant in the matter mentioned, after it grew to become a hot-button election difficulty.
Within the final inhabitants census in 2011, respondents had been requested to establish in the event that they belonged to certainly one of two castes listed within the questionnaire, particularly “scheduled caste” or “scheduled tribe” teams, who’re essentially the most deprived in society.
Officers at the moment are debating whether or not so as to add a 3rd caste class, referred to as “different backward class” to the questionnaire or whether or not to conduct a separate caste survey, the particular person mentioned, asking to not be recognized because the discussions are non-public. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s workplace will make a closing determination on the matter, the particular person mentioned.
India’s dwelling and statistics ministries are anticipated to start the method for the long-delayed inhabitants census train as early as subsequent month, individuals conversant in the matter mentioned. Officers within the ministries estimate it would take about 18 months to finish, they mentioned.
India has no official information on the variety of individuals belonging to a selected caste. A depend would enable the federal government to redistribute sources extra successfully and tailor affirmative motion insurance policies as wanted.
Caste identification performed a giant position in India’s election, with many within the lowest rungs of society turning towards PM Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Get together, contributing to it shedding its majority within the parliament. Opposition teams campaigned on guarantees of conducting complete caste surveys to higher goal affirmative motion insurance policies for socially and economically-backward lessons.
Spokespeople for the house and statistics ministries didn’t instantly reply to requests for additional data.
The inhabitants census, final revealed in 2011, is normally performed as soon as a decade, however was delayed due to the pandemic.
The method to outline the methodology for the brand new inhabitants census will start by September and if timelines are adhered to the outcomes are anticipated to be prepared by March 2026 on the earliest, the individuals mentioned. The federal government will start coaching 1000’s of workers to start conducting the surveys, the individuals mentioned.







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