Tue May 06 15:28:12 UTC 2025: ## India Poised for Caste Census, Expert Urges Caution
**New Delhi, May 6, 2025** – India is prepared to conduct a nationwide caste census as part of the upcoming national census, according to renowned economist and social justice scholar Professor Sukhdeo Thorat. While acknowledging the complexities, Professor Thorat highlighted India’s extensive experience with large-scale data collection. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, he cautioned against rushing the process, recommending the formation of expert committees to develop the framework, questionnaires, and standardized caste nomenclature.
Professor Thorat, currently advising on a Telangana caste survey, emphasized leveraging lessons from past exercises, including the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census and similar surveys in Bihar and Karnataka. He stressed that addressing known errors from previous attempts would ensure a smoother process.
The expert explained that the shift towards group-focused policies necessitates a reliable caste-based database, acknowledging concerns about potential misuse for reservation claims. He clarified that such demands often arise from the graded nature of the caste system, stating that while many castes face discrimination, their needs vary. He emphasized the census should not solely focus on reservation allocation, but also identify group-specific economic, educational, and political challenges.
Professor Thorat further advocated for the inclusion of systematic data on caste-based discrimination, using existing legal frameworks as a basis for data collection. He expressed concern about the reluctance of some proponents to address the issue of discrimination, urging the inclusion of detailed questions on social, economic, and political exclusion across caste and gender groups. This comprehensive approach, he argued, would not only enrich the census but also facilitate more nuanced policymaking, including sub-categorization within existing reserved groups.
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