Debate Over Caste Enumeration in India: A Double-Edged Sword

Thu Nov 13 2025 04:42:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As India prepares to count its castes for the first time in nearly a century, experts discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls of this initiative, questioning whether it will truly aid social justice or entrench existing inequalities.

The 2027 census in India will include a caste count for the first time in nearly a century, prompting debate among scholars and activists. While proponents argue it could enhance welfare allocation and address disparities, critics warn that it risks reinforcing the caste system. Notably, Anand Teltumbde argues that counting castes may further entrench discrimination rather than dismantling it. Others advocate for a holistic approach that combines caste data with economic indicators to create a more effective welfare system. The complexity of caste and its subgroups presents additional challenges for data collection and policy formulation.

As India gears up for its next national census in 2027, it will mark a significant change by including a count of castes for the first time in nearly a century. This decision has reignited debates about the role of caste in Indian society, particularly regarding the allocation of government benefits.

A band of scholars and activists see this move as a potential chance to refine welfare spending to ensure that aid reaches those truly in need. Proponents argue that a comprehensive count could help recalibrate affirmative action measures in jobs and education based on hard data about caste demographics.

However, this initiative is not without its critics. Anand Teltumbde, a notable scholar-activist, suggests in his provocative book, *The Caste Con Census*, that counting castes might actually reinforce the oppressive structures of the caste system rather than dismantle them. He warns that the exercise is reminiscent of colonial tactics used in the past to control and categorize populations.

Teltumbde notes that British colonialists initiated caste counting in the 1870s, which inadvertently reinforced social hierarchies rather than alleviating them. He cautions that such endeavors, under the guise of social justice, could merely bureaucratize inequality, reducing complex social issues to mere statistics.

On the other side of the debate, many scholars argue that the absence of caste data has impaired social justice efforts. Sociologist Satish Deshpande and economist Mary E John assert that without understanding the nuances of caste in contemporary society, policies can fail to address entrenched disparities effectively. They advocate for a more inclusive approach to data collection that would require all individuals to disclose their caste, thus recognizing that privilege and disadvantage often exist in tandem across the caste spectrum.

However, as political scientist Sudha Pai points out, while there's a necessity for a caste census, it's crucial to integrate income and educational data to ensure that welfare initiatives are effective. There is indeed a risk that merely counting without thoughtful categorization could lead to oversimplification, as castes consist of many subgroups, each with varying levels of need.

Teltumbde remains skeptical that even comprehensive data collection can resolve the deeply embedded issues stemming from caste hierarchy. He emphasizes the need for policies that work towards the destruction of the caste system, rather than its management through mere enumeration.

The upcoming census poses a complex challenge: will it serve as a tool for liberation or entrap citizens further within the hierarchical structures it aims to quantify? As India approaches this pivotal moment, the conversation surrounding caste continues to evolve, highlighting the intricate interplay between identity, privilege, and justice.