New Delhi: As debates around caste-based data resurface in India’s political landscape, attention turns to the country’s last full-scale caste census, conducted in 1931 under British rule. The census, a landmark in India’s demographic history, remains the only comprehensive record of caste distribution across the subcontinent The 1931 report offered detailed insights into the complex structure of Indian society, documenting thousands of castes and sub-castes based on occupation, region, and social hierarchy. It revealed stark disparities in land ownership, literacy, and access to resources—issues that continue to influence policy and politics today.
Nearly a century later, the absence of updated caste data poses challenges for affirmative action policies and social justice programs. Critics argue that decisions based on outdated figures fail to reflect the changing realities of Indian society, while supporters of a new caste census say it would provide a clearer picture of inequality and help direct welfare measures more effectively.
With renewed political momentum and public interest, calls for a fresh caste census have gained traction—bringing the forgotten findings of 1931 back into national focus.