Census to collect OBC data

In a first, Census 2021 will collect data on Other Backward Classes (OBC). A decision in this regard was taken during a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday to review the preparation for Census operations.

Census 2021 will be finalised in three years instead of the usual practice of seven to eight years, a Home Ministry spokesperson said. Incidentally, the three-year timeframe will coincide with the 2024 general elections and the figures could well be a major poll issue.

“The Union Home Minister discussed the roadmap for undertaking the Census in 2021 and it was emphasised that improvements in design and technological interventions be made so as to ensure that the census data is finalised within 3 years after conducting of Census. At present, it takes around 7 to 8 years to release the complete data. It was also informed that nearly 25 lakh enumerators are trained and engaged for the gigantic exercise and accurate collection of data will be ensured in Census 2021. It is also envisaged to collect data on OBC for the first time. Use of maps/geo-referencing at the time of house listing is also under consideration.

“Union Home Minister also emphasised the need of improvement in civil registration system, especially on registration of birth and death in remote areas, and strengthening sample registration system for estimating the data namely, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality ratio and fertility rates,” said the Home Ministry in a statement.

The review meeting was attended by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Home Affairs MoS Kiren Rijiju, Registrar General of India (RGI) G Sailesh and senior officers of RGI.

The UPA Government had conducted the Socio-Economic Caste Census in 2011, the first in Independent India after 1931, findings of which were released in 2015. But the decision to set up an expert group to take further action on the findings by the Modi Government is yet to be implemented.

Later, the NDA Government adopted the policy of widening the list of OBC to accommodate various sections and castes demanding inclusion in the list.

In 2017, the Centre had formed a Justice G Rohini-led Commission to examine the sub-categorisation of OBC. 

The terms of reference of the Commission are to examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or communities included in the broad category of OBC with reference to such classes included in the Central List. Justice Rohini Commission will take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes or communities or sub-castes or synonyms in the Central List of Other Backward Classes and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.