Caste Census in Bihar

 

Latest Context:

Recently, the government of Bihar has revealed the findings of the Caste Survey, 2023. It shows that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) make up 63% of the state's population.

Key Findings of the Bihar Caste Survey: 

1. Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs): 36.01%
2. Other Backward Classes (OBCs): 27.12%
3. Scheduled Castes: 19.65%
4. Scheduled Tribes: 1.68%
5. Buddhists, Christians, Sikhs, and Jains: Less than 1%
6. Total Population (Bihar): 13.07 crores

How Was the Caste Survey Conducted?

The survey took place in two phases:

1. First Phase: Counted all households in Bihar and asked 17 mandatory questions.

2. Second Phase:

• Gathered data on people living in households, their castes, sub-castes, and socio-economic conditions.
• Providing Aadhaar numbers, caste certificate numbers, and ration card numbers were optional.

What's the Significance of the Bihar Caste Survey?

1. It may lead to a demand for increasing the OBC quota beyond 27% and a quota within quota for EBCs.
2. It could reopen the debate on the 50% reservation ceiling imposed by the Supreme Court.
3. It helps fulfil constitutional obligations outlined in the Directive Principles of State Policies (DPSPs) and promotes socio-economic objectives.
4. It can be used to address inequality and promote social justice.

Concerns with the Caste Census

1. Counting caste may have political and social repercussions.
2. Some data from previous surveys remain unreleased.
3. Caste doesn't always reflect class or deprivation.
4. The last caste census was in 1931, and caste data from the 2011 Census was not made public.

Previous Caste Census in India

• Census of 1931: The last caste census was conducted in 1931 and became the basis for the Mandal Commission Reports and subsequent reservation policies for Other Backward Classes.
• Census of 2011: The 2011 Census collected caste-based data but didn't make it public due to concerns of political bias.                                     

What is the Census?

1. Originated in India in 1881 during colonial times.
2. Evolved and used by the government, policymakers, academics, and others to understand the Indian population, allocate resources, track social changes, and conduct delimitation exercises.
3. The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) identifies beneficiaries of state support and gathers data on economic status and caste. It was first conducted in 1931.
4. The Census provides an overview of the Indian population, while the SECC helps identify those in need of government assistance.

 

Question: The first modern Census in India took place in which year?

(a) 1951

(b) 1947

(c) 1881

(d) 1971

 

Answer: (c) 1881

 

 

Must Check: Best IAS Coaching In Delhi