Bihar survey merges caste sub-categories

PATNA: The Bihar government has taken a "revolutionary" step of merging the sub-categories of a particular caste concerned into one single social entity, which will have one numerical caste code for use during the month-long second phase of caste-based headcount from April 15 to May 15.
It will simplify the caste-based headcount exercise being conducted in the state. The codes have also been given to religion, offspring out of inter-religious wedlock, property and even professions, like doctor and lawyers.
As to the second phase of the headcount, the sub-categories of Maithil, Kanyakubj and other Brahmins have been merged into a single social entity called Brahmin, which will have caste code as 126. No separate enumeration of its sub-categories will be done. Similarly, the caste code of the Rajput is 169, of the Bhumihar 142, and of the Kayastha 21.