Question Q.20Comment on the relevance and necessity of caste census for policy-makingGS1GS1
"Caste census is relevant and necessary for any well-designed policy to reduce societal inequality". Comment. (15 marks, 250 words)
Introduction
The Union Government has declared that the upcoming 2026 Census would also include Caste Census in it.
17 words
Main Body
Features of Caste Census:
Enumeration of caste at Villages.
Socio-economic condition of various caste.
Types of employment followed by caste.
Poverty, educational indicators.
Caste Census — Well designed policy to reduce social inequality:
1Provide Caste Specific Data: about the condition of different castes.
2Would unveil: the distribution of assets of every caste – better policy.
3Identify the implementation gap of policies with respect to caste.
Additional benefits of Caste Census:
4Promote inter-sectionality: specific and targeted schemes.
5Understand the nexus of caste and occupational structure.
6Poverty levels and inequality levels of different castes.
7Break the vicious debates about caste myths → by showing true position.
8Aid in policy designing → keep in mind the various caste cloak and needs.
Counter-arguments: Caste Census could increase social gaps:
1Increase the caste consciousness in country.
2Entrenchment of caste based identities → Nesple Article 14, and 15.
Counter-arguments continued:
3Would promote politicization of caste-based reservations.
4Excuse for caste-based vote-bank politics → pitting one caste against another.
5Past Experience: [SECC 2011] data was said to be unusable.
6Poor data records: false reporting of data – due to incomplete digitalization.
The Way Ahead:
1Ensure strict Audit of census data to root out irregularity.
2Increase Transparency and Accountability: about data collection.
3Evidence based policy making using AI, machine learning.
232 words21 paragraphs4 bullet points
Diagram
Concept map showing features of Caste Census including: Enumeration of caste at Villages, Socio-economic condition of various castes, Types of employment followed by caste, Poverty and educational indicators
- Clearly articulates government policy position
- Identifies multiple features of caste census
- Links census to policy effectiveness
- Well-structured enumeration of benefits
Topper
Gaurav Chopra
AIR 83
Subject & Paper
GS1GS1
Topic
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India
Caste system, Social inequality
Writing Stats
249
Total words
21
Paragraphs
4
Bullets