Ahead Of Bihar Elections, India Approves Inclusion Of Caste In Census

NEW DELHI – India has approved the inclusion of caste data in its upcoming population census.

Although no date has been announced for when the census will begin, the decision marks a significant step forward for a process that has already been delayed. Originally scheduled for 2021, the once-in-a-decade population survey was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, various logistical challenges and political will.

Dozens of caste-based political parties operate across India, and many government institutions are mandated to provide quotas for groups in employment and education.

The timing of the announcement is notable—it comes just months before elections in Bihar, a politically sensitive state where caste dynamics heavily influence voting patterns.

India last recorded caste data in 2011, but those figures were never officially released due to concerns about their accuracy, Reuters reported. Since then, momentum for updated data has grown. In 2022, Bihar conducted its own caste census, and more recently, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have announced similar initiatives.