India, April 30 -- The cabinet committee of political affairs (CCPA) on Wednesday decided that a caste-based enumeration will be part of the upcoming decadal census, a decision hailed by the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as a step that would help in drafting "equitable and targeted" policies.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cabinet committee of political affairs (CCPA) has decided today that caste enumeration should be included with the forthcoming census. it demonstrates that the government is committed to the values and interest of the society," union minister Ashwini Vishnaw said after the meeting on Wednesday.

The announcement, which comes ahead of the Bi...