GS2/ GS1 Paper
Syllabus: Polity/ Indian Demographics/ Indian Society
Context: The recently released caste survey data for Bihar provides valuable insights into the state’s demographic composition.
What is the Purpose of the Caste-based Survey?
The purpose of the caste-based survey initiated by the Bihar government in January 2023 is to gather detailed socio-economic data, aiding in the development of improved policies and programs for marginalized communities.
Findings:
Bihar caste survey data:
| Bihar’s total population | Approx. 13 crore |
| Category | Percentage of Bihar’s Population (approx.) |
| Other Backward Classes (OBCs) | 27% |
| Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) | 36% |
| Forward Castes (General Category) | 15.5% |
| Scheduled Castes (SCs) | 20% |
| Scheduled Tribes (STs) | 1.6% |
| Religious Categories | Hindus comprise approx. 82% of the population, and Muslims 17.72%. The populations of Buddhists, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and other religious denominations are minuscule. |
Significance of the Findings:
| Aspect | Significance |
| Population Distribution | Confirms substantial OBC presence in Bihar. OBCs and EBCs make up over 63% of the population |
| Highlights diverse caste landscape | |
| Updates data on caste metrics (Last nationwide caste data from 1931) | |
| Political Implications | Political parties seek to leverage the data for political strategies, emphasizing “social justice” and “development with justice. |
| Backward Class Mobilization | The traditional politics of identity centred on the reservation and backward caste assertion, has seen a decline. However, the survey results could rejuvenate backward-class mobilization |
| Demand for Reservation | These findings may lead to demands for increasing the OBC quota beyond 27% and introducing a quota within a quota for the EBCs |
| Debate over Reservation | Data may reignite the debate over the 50% ceiling on reservations imposed by the Supreme Court. |
| Vote Bank Politics | In terms of elections, the survey highlights that over 82% of Bihar’s population comprises EBCs, OBCs, and SCs, making them a critical vote bank. |
| Informed Policy Making | Accurate data helps in policy design and implementation |
| Reduces social disparities | |
| Addressing Intersectionality | Caste intersects with gender, religion, and region |
| Survey reveals these intersections for nuanced policy approaches addressing multiple dimensions of marginalization. | |
Who are Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs)?
THE EBCs are a group of 130-odd castes that occupy the lower rungs of the OBC spectrum and are dominated by the Yadavs and Kurmis. Among the EBCs are Mallah, Nai, Nonia, Dhanuk, Kahar, etc. Karpoori Thakur (former Chief Minister of Bihar in the 1970s) pioneered the politics of EBC. He was the first to announce quotas within quota, earmarking 12% for EBCs and 8% for OBCs
History of Caste surveys?
- Every Census in independent India from 1951 to 2011 has published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but not on other castes.
- Before that, every Census until 1931 had data on caste. However, in 1941, caste-based data was collected but not published.
- Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data (2011 Census) (data on the socio-economic status of different communities) was conducted by the Ministry of Rural Development in rural areas and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation in urban areas.
- The SECC data excluding caste data was finalised and published by the two ministries in 2016. However, due to inaccuracies, the raw data was never disclosed.
Several political parties have demanded the conduct of the caste census and its inclusion in the 2021 Census data (now delayed). However, there are several challenges in conducting such a survey:
| Challenges | Description |
| Complexity | The caste system in India is intricate, with numerous caste groups and subgroups, making categorization and data collection complex. |
| Different Lists | There is a Central list of OBCs and a State-specific list of OBCs. Some states do not have a list of OBCs |
| Open Ended Categories | The Registrar General has also pointed out that there are certain open-ended categories in the lists such as orphans and destitute children. |
| The status of a migrant from one State to another and the status of children of inter-caste marriage, in terms of caste classification, are undecided. | |
| Ambiguity | Names of some castes are found in both the list of Scheduled Castes and the list of OBCs. Scheduled Castes converted to Christianity or Islam are also treated differently in different States. |
| Political Sensitivity | Caste remains a highly sensitive and politically charged issue, often leading to social and political tensions when caste data is released. |
| Privacy Concerns | Collecting caste information from individuals may raise privacy concerns, and data security becomes crucial to protect individuals’ information. |
| Lack of Consensus | There is often a lack of consensus among political parties and caste groups regarding the need for and methodology of a caste survey, leading to delays and disagreements. |
Legal Challenges for Caste-Based Survey:
- Critics argue that the survey violates the Constitution, infringes on privacy, exceeds the state government’s competence (in Bihar’s Case), is politically motivated, and relies on unreliable methods.
- Critics assert that assigning caste identity to all citizens, regardless of their intent to access state benefits, contradicts constitutional rights such as the right to identity, dignity, informational privacy, and choice under Article 21.
- The central government has exclusive authority, per Entry 69 in the Seventh Schedule’s Union List, to conduct a census, raising questions about the Bihar state’s role in this survey.
- However, the Patna High Court initially halted, but later validated it, citing the Indra Sawhney Case and its alignment with Article 16(4) of the Constitution.
Other issues with the Caste Based Survey:
| Issues | Negative Implications |
| Potential Stigmatization | Disclosure of caste could lead to stigma |
| Hinders honest responses and survey accuracy | |
| Political Manipulation | Exploitation by politicians for short-term gains |
| Diverts attention from genuine policy issues | |
| Fluidity of Caste Identities | Oversimplification overlooks intra-caste variations and historical changes |
| Fails to address contemporary caste dynamics | |
| Caste identities are not static and may change due to factors like inter-caste marriages. The survey may struggle to capture dynamic changes | |
Conclusion:
A caste-based survey must adopt a framework that safeguards participant privacy and dignity, emphasizing informed consent and confidentiality. Apart from the survey, strategies like public awareness campaigns, regular reviews, and capacity-building initiatives should be implemented to advance social integration and reduce inequalities.
Mains Links:
Q.How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes In India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes? (UPSC 2015)
Prelims Links:
Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2009)
- Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.
- Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: D
