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18 August 2026

OBC category exclusion from Census

The debate over caste-based census data collection methods is a significant governance and social policy issue directly linked to the constitutional mandate for social empowerment and the administration of welfare schemes for marginalized sections.

1 min read Day 8 of 18 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Concerns raised regarding the exclusion of a specific OBC column in the Census questionnaire.
  • Arguments suggest that the absence of a dedicated column hinders the accurate determination of the OBC population size.
  • Technical challenges identified in an 'open-ended' caste data collection method include regional nomenclature variations, synonyms, and spelling differences.
  • Projections indicate that open-ended collection could lead to millions of distinct entries, potentially complicating data processing and scientific analysis.
  • The Telangana state caste survey model utilized a structured questionnaire with a predefined list of 242 castes as a potential alternative approach.
  • The demand for a caste-based census is linked to the broader discourse on social justice and the representation of marginalized communities.

Part of a longer story

This is day 8 of 18 in Caste enumeration in Census 2027, which has been running since 7 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Discuss the methodological challenges associated with conducting a caste-based enumeration in a diverse society like India. How can standardized data collection frameworks improve the accuracy of social statistics? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
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  2. The collection of caste-based data is often debated in the context of social justice and policy formulation. Critically examine the utility of caste-based census data for the effective implementation of welfare schemes and the potential risks of reinforcing social stratification. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following is cited as a primary technical challenge in collecting caste data through an 'open-ended' questionnaire format?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-18/obc-category-exclusion-from-census