OBC associations on caste enumeration

Notes

• The Union government has indicated it will not use existing Central and State OBC lists to codify caste names for the 2027 Census.
• The government's rationale is that OBC lists represent 'classes' rather than 'castes', making them unsuitable for direct caste enumeration.
• OBC associations argue that the 'class vs. caste' distinction is artificial, noting that these lists are already used for reservation and affirmative action.
• Critics suggest that failing to codify caste names from existing lists may lead to inaccurate data collection and hinder the scientific estimation of OBC populations.
• The last comprehensive caste-based population data for India dates back to the 1931 Census.
• Concerns have been raised that the methodology for the 2027 Census may lack the rigor required to capture social realities, potentially impacting the validity of future policy-making.
• Arguments exist that administrative classification and social identity are not mutually exclusive, as seen in the issuance of various social category certificates.

Part of a longer story

This is day 18 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.

• Government approach to OBC lists in Census 2027 Before
• The whole story 18 entries