Background
Overview
UPSC frequently examines the Census of India as a fundamental data source for governance, policy formulation, and social planning. The debate around caste enumeration touches upon constitutional principles of social justice, the challenges of data collection methodology, the effectiveness of welfare schemes, and the implications for affirmative action and reservation policies.
The Census of India, a decennial exercise mandated by the Census Act, 1948, provides crucial demographic and socio-economic data. While it traditionally collects data on religion, language, and gender, the comprehensive enumeration of caste, last done in 1931, presents significant methodological and constitutional challenges, particularly concerning its implications for social justice policies and the constitutional commitment against caste-based discrimination.