The Union government has begun preparatory work for a nationwide caste-wise census, scheduled to start from February next year. As part of the process, the first phase of house-listing is under way.
Officials have also decided to begin the population census from next month, which will form the basis for the caste-wise enumeration. Compared with the 2011 census form that had 29 questions, the new questionnaire is expected to carry 40 questions.
Enumerators have been instructed to record details such as religion and whether a person belongs to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. The form is also designed to collect household and personal information related to marriage, spouse and children.
In addition, the questionnaire includes fields to capture identifiers such as passport and driving licence details, and information on COVID-19 vaccination. While respondents’ caste details are to be recorded as stated by them, opposition parties, including the Congress, have objected to forms being prepared without listing caste names.
They have urged the Centre to adopt the approach used in caste surveys conducted in Telangana and Bihar.
