Caste Census

Question 1

The Census of India has not collected caste-wise data since when?

Answer 1

since 1931,with the exception of details about SCs and STs.

Question 2

What are features of ‘socio-economic caste census’ in 2011?

Answer 2

It was the first paperless census in India, conducted on handheld electronic devices, in 640 districts.

It was the first-ever caste-based census since 1931 census of India.

Data was collected on manual scavenging and Transgender count in India.

Question 3

Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 was not conducted under the 1948 Census of India Act. What is the significance of this exclusion?

Answer 3

Disclosure of information was not mandatory. Sharing of details was voluntary for the citizens.

Question 4

How is the Government of India planning to use the SECC 2011 data?

Answer 4

to implement their Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes and to expand Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhar and Mobile Governance (JAM).

Question 5

Which were the Ministries responsible for conducting Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011?

Answer 5

Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation – Urban Areas.

Ministry of Rural Development – Rural Areas

Ministry of Home Affairs: Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India – responsible for the caste census.

Question 6

Why caste based census is important in India?

Answer 6

-To update the data for giving appropriate reservations.becoz castes that have developed over the period of time can be removed from reservation benefits and vice versa.Hence data should be used for uplifting people & not for dividing people

The Supreme Court has been asking States to produce quantifiable data to justify their levels of reservation, and it would help Tamil Nadu to retain its 69%
total reservation.

Question 7

Downfalls of caste census?

Answer 7

• People might get divided over caste

- political parties might try to take advantage by divide and rule