India to Reintroduce Caste Census After 84 Years

India will conduct a caste-based census for the first time since 1941, marking a historic shift in population data collection.

The move was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs and announced Wednesday by Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who said the decision reflects the government’s commitment to social equity and national interest.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Cabinet has decided that caste enumeration will be included in the upcoming census. This demonstrates that the government is committed to the values and interests of society and the country,” Vaishnaw told the Indian Express.

Although previous censuses from 1951 to 2011 reported figures for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes — groups historically marginalized in India’s caste hierarchy — comprehensive caste data has not been collected or published since the 1941 census. Prior to that, every census since 1871 included caste details.

India’s caste system traditionally classifies Hindus into four main groups: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Dalits, formerly referred to as “Untouchables,” fall outside this hierarchy.

The upcoming census will cover a population of over 1.4 billion people, making it the largest exercise of its kind globally.