In a landmark decision, the central government announced on Wednesday that the upcoming nationwide population census will also include a caste-based survey, marking a significant shift in policy.
The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking to the media following the meeting, stated, “Today, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has agreed to integrate caste-based data collection into the next census.”
This development is politically crucial, as the demand for a caste census has been a key agenda of the Congress-led INDIA bloc and has found considerable resonance among the general population.
Political analysts believe this unexpected move by the Centre could reshape existing social dynamics and have a major impact on voter sentiments.
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Until now, the government had been hesitant to conduct a caste census, citing concerns over social division and disharmony. However, the Congress party and its allies, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have consistently pushed for it, arguing that equitable representation in governance should reflect the population composition of all communities.
With this announcement, the BJP-led central government appears to have strategically countered one of the Congress’s most prominent narratives, potentially neutralizing its criticism on the issue.
आज़ादी के बाद हुई सभी जनगणनाओं में जातियों की गणना नहीं की गई — यह कांग्रेस पार्टी के दोहरे मापदंड और पाखंड का एक और बड़ा उदाहरण है। जो काम दशकों से टाला गया, उस पर कांग्रेस ने केवल दिखावटी राजनीति की।
2010 में तत्कालीन PM डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह ने लोकसभा में जाति जनगणना पर विचार का…
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) April 30, 2025
The timing of the announcement is also critical, as it precedes the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for later this year—an arena where caste identity plays a decisive role in political outcomes.
In Bihar, major parties—including the Congress, RJD, JD(U), and others—rely heavily on caste alliances to secure electoral victories.
By integrating the caste survey with the broader national census, the BJP seeks to position itself as a champion of social equity and transparency, while also challenging the opposition’s long-standing claim of championing backward caste rights solely for electoral benefits. (Edited)
