World · India Bureau
OBC groups demand unique caste codes in upcoming Census exercise
Representatives of Other Backward Classes organisations have called for mandatory caste coding and separate Census columns for OBCs and the General Category, warning that without such measures the enumeration could prove ineffective.
LSN India ·
A national conference of OBC groups has pressed for sweeping changes to India's Census methodology, seeking to establish unique identification codes for each caste while creating distinct data collection columns for backward classes and the General Category.
Leaders attending the gathering cautioned that the absence of such structured caste-specific coding mechanisms could undermine the scientific validity of the Census exercise. They argued that the current enumeration framework fails to adequately capture and categorise OBC populations, potentially compromising the reliability of demographic data crucial for policy formulation and resource allocation.
The OBC representatives emphasised that implementing a systematic coding structure would enable more precise enumeration and help policymakers better understand the socio-economic composition of backward class communities across the country. They contended that separate Census columns would provide granular data essential for targeted development programmes and welfare schemes.
The demand underscores ongoing debates within civil society and community organisations regarding the scope and methodology of India's decennial Census, with various groups seeking enhanced representation and more accurate documentation of their populations in official statistical records.