Why in News?

India has not published disaggregated caste data since the 1931 Census, creating a significant gap in understanding caste-based demographics.

The Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 attempted to bridge this gap but it did not make certain caste-wise population data public.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background and Historical Context
• Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011
• Differences Between SECC 2011 and Census 2011
• Caste and Tribe Specific Data - SECC vs Census 2011 on Caste
• Conclusion

Background and Historical Context:

• The most recent publicly available data on caste populations at the national level are from the 1931 Census.
  • It will serve as the baseline for the caste data that the government has now decided to collect as part of the upcoming, pandemic-delayed Census 2021.
• The 1941 Census collected caste data but it was not released due to World War II.
• Post-independence Censuses have not included disaggregated caste data, except for broad SC/ST figures.

Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011:

• Overview:
  • Beginning: The Union Ministry of Rural Development began the SECC on June 29, 2011 through a nationwide door-to-door enumeration exercise.
  • Purpose:
    • Assess socio-economic status of rural and urban households, and allow the ranking of households based on predefined parameters.
    • The data to be used for policy, research, and the implementation of various development programs.
  • Coverage: Conducted in 24 lakh enumeration blocks, each with ~125 households.
  • Timeline: Mostly in 2011–2012; extended to 2013 in some states.
• Key features:
  • Joint exercise with Census 2011, but administratively distinct.
  • The caste census was under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Registrar General of India (RGI) and Census Commissioner of India.
    • Census in Rural Area by - the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
    • Census in Urban areas by - the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA); and
    • Caste Census by - Ministry of Home Affairs, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
    • Overall administration - The Ministry of Rural Development

Differences Between SECC 2011 and Census 2011:

• Confidentiality and accessibility:
  • Census 2011 data: Confidential and used for statistical purposes.
  • SECC 2011 data: Open for government use in identifying beneficiaries for schemes.
• Common parameters:
  • Demographic and economic data: Gender, age, marital status, religion, literacy, etc.
• Additional parameters in SECC:
  • Health: Nature of disability (sight, speech, mental illness, etc.) and diseases (cancer, TB, leprosy).
  • Economic status: Asset ownership (mobile, AC, fridge), housing condition, source of lighting, latrines, and kitchens.
  • Employment and income (Urban-specific): Source of income (begging, vending, pension, rent).
  • Rural-specific: Landholding, mechanised equipment, tribal group membership, bonded labour, manual scavenging.

Caste and Tribe Specific Data - SECC vs Census 2011 on Caste:

• Census 2011: Only asked about SC/ST status, not specific caste names or OBC/general category.
• SECC 2011:
  • Collected disaggregated caste data.
  • Categories: SC (Code 1), ST (Code 2), Other (Code 3), No Caste/Tribe (Code 4).
  • Captured name of caste/tribe if applicable.
• Government order on SC classification:
  • As per 1990 order, Scheduled Castes must be Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist.
  • Scheduled Tribes can be from any religion.

Conclusion:

The upcoming Census 2021, delayed by the pandemic, is expected to include comprehensive caste data, potentially reshaping socio-economic policy frameworks.

Accurate and transparent caste data remains critical for targeted welfare measures, inclusive governance, and evidence-based policymaking.