Daily Current Affairs : 13-October-2023

In recent news, there has been a growing demand for a nationwide caste census in India following the publication of a caste survey in Bihar. This demand comes after the Bihar survey revealed that 63% of the state’s population belongs to the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories. However, the Prime Minister has rejected this demand, sparking a nationwide debate.

Bihar’s Caste Survey: A Detailed Insight
  • Background: The Bihar government initiated a two-phase caste survey in January 2023 to gather detailed socio-economic data, aiming to formulate better policies for disadvantaged groups.
  • Key Findings:
    • OBCs and EBCs constitute over 63% of Bihar’s population, while “forward” or “General” castes account for only 15.5%.
    • Scheduled Castes (SCs) make up 20%, and Scheduled Tribes (STs) comprise just 1.6% of the population.
    • Socio-economic data highlights disparities in consumption expenditures, emphasizing the intersection between caste and class-based deprivation.
Socio-Economic Conditions in India: A Larger Perspective
  • Poverty & Inequality: National surveys like NFHS and the Sachar Committee report underline persistent inequality across caste categories, demonstrating higher poverty rates among SCs, STs, and OBCs.
  • Education: Official data indicates disparities in literacy rates and educational achievements, favoring the general category.
  • Employment: Caste-based employment patterns reveal a higher prevalence of informal jobs among SCs, STs, and OBCs, while the general category has a larger share of formal employment.
Data Suggestions and the Demand for a Caste Census
  • Continuity in Disproportionate Poverty & Deprivation: Stable poverty concentration among STs, SCs, OBCs, and Muslims indicates a direct link between caste-based discrimination and poverty.
  • Disproportionate Employment Pattern: Informal sector dominance for STs, SCs, and OBCs highlights the need for targeted policies to enhance formal employment opportunities.
  • Caste-Inequality in Education: Persistent disparities in education contribute to similar inequalities in skilled, formal employment, emphasizing the urgency for addressing these issues.
Relevance and Need for a Caste Census
  • A Step Towards Equality: Conducting a caste census would identify underrepresented castes, paving the way for equality initiatives and justifying reservations for marginalized communities.
  • Outdated Data: The last caste census was in 1931, making it crucial to update demographic information to reflect India’s current social structure.
  • Data Unavailability and Effective Service Delivery: Lack of data poses challenges, hindering efficient welfare delivery, making a fresh census essential.
Criticism Surrounding Caste Surveys
  • Strengthening Caste Divisions: Historical concerns about caste census reinforcing divisions persist, although caste discrimination continues without it.
  • Triggering Reservation Demands: Some fear that revealing accurate OBC population data might intensify calls to increase the existing 27% reservation quota for OBCs, leading to opposition against the census.

Important Points:

  • Demand for Nationwide Caste Census:
    • Growing demand post the Bihar caste survey revealing 63% of Bihar’s population as EBCs and OBCs.
    • Rejected by the Prime Minister, sparking nationwide debate.
  • Bihar’s Caste Survey Findings:
    • OBCs and EBCs constitute 63% of Bihar’s population; General category is only 15.5%.
    • SCs make up 20%, and STs comprise 1.6%.
    • Socio-economic disparities evident in consumption expenditures, emphasizing caste-class intersection.
  • Socio-Economic Conditions in India:
    • Inequality highlighted in national surveys (NFHS) and Sachar Committee report.
    • Education disparities: lower literacy rates among SCs, STs, and OBCs compared to the general category.
    • Caste-based employment patterns: Informal jobs prevalent among SCs, STs, and OBCs; general category has more formal employment.
  • Data Suggestions and Demand for Caste Census:
    • Persistent poverty among STs, SCs, OBCs, and Muslims linked to caste-based discrimination.
    • Informal sector dominance for STs, SCs, and OBCs; formal employment opportunities needed.
    • Caste-based education disparities contribute to inequalities in formal employment.
  • Relevance and Need for a Caste Census:
    • Caste census essential for identifying underrepresented castes, promoting equality, and justifying reservations.
    • Last caste census in 1931; updated data crucial for current social structure understanding.
    • Data unavailability hindering effective welfare delivery, necessitating a fresh census.
  • Criticism Surrounding Caste Surveys:
    • Historical concern about reinforcing divisions despite caste census absence.
    • Fear of accurate OBC population data intensifying calls to increase the existing 27% reservation quota, leading to opposition.
Why In News

Recently, the demand for a nationwide caste census gained momentum after the publication of a comprehensive caste survey in Bihar, highlighting the need for accurate and updated data on caste demographics across the country.

MCQs about Caste Census Debate in India

  1. What was the main reason behind the demand for a nationwide caste census in India?
    A. Recent economic reforms
    B. Findings of a caste survey in Bihar
    C. Increase in population growth
    D. Technological advancements
    Correct Answer: B. Findings of a caste survey in Bihar
    Explanation: The demand for a nationwide caste census in India arose after the publication of a caste survey in Bihar, which revealed significant caste-based demographics and disparities.
  2. Which social groups constitute over 63% of Bihar’s population according to the caste survey?
    A. Scheduled Castes (SCs)
    B. General category
    C. Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
    D. Scheduled Tribes (STs)
    Correct Answer: C. Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
    Explanation: The survey in Bihar showed that EBCs and OBCs constitute more than 63% of the state’s population.
  3. Why has the Indian government faced opposition regarding a nationwide caste census?
    A. Fear of increased political unrest
    B. Concerns about strengthening caste divisions
    C. Lack of funding for the census
    D. Technological challenges in data collection
    Correct Answer: B. Concerns about strengthening caste divisions
    Explanation: Opposition to a nationwide caste census has been expressed due to fears that it might reinforce caste divisions in society.
  4. What is the primary objective of conducting a caste census in India?
    A. To boost economic growth
    B. To identify underrepresented castes and promote equality
    C. To enforce strict caste-based regulations
    D. To create cultural awareness
    Correct Answer: B. To identify underrepresented castes and promote equality
    Explanation: The primary objective of conducting a caste census is to identify underrepresented castes, paving the way for initiatives that promote equality and justify reservations for marginalized communities.

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