Jammu, May 4 -- The Union Government's decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census marks a pivotal moment in India's democratic journey. For the first time since 1931, the country will gather comprehensive data on caste groups-promising a more transparent and inclusive approach to governance.
Caste continues to shape access to education, employment, healthcare, and political representation in India. Yet, the absence of up-to-date, disaggregated caste data has long impeded evidence-based policymaking. While censuses have consistently recorded data on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), they have omitted Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and many marginalized communities. This has hampered efforts to asse...