For first time in a century, India ’s states count politically sensitive caste membership

The more than 1 billion Hindus living in India belong to more than 4000 historical castes, a hereditary identity that shapes social and economic status and mobility. But it has been almost a century since caste membership was counted. India’s federal government, citing logistical and political reasons, has been reluctant to conduct another survey. Now, states are taking things into their own hands. What they are learning could help India better address economic and health inequities and allow social scientists to chart the changes sweeping the country. In October 2023, the northern state of Bihar released findings from a yearlong survey that provided the first detailed numbers on social composition in decades. Other states are following suit. Andhra Pradesh in January began its own such caste census, sending out thousands of enumerators armed with lists of previously known caste groups to match with residents around the state. And last month, the southern Indian state of Telangana passed a resolution to conduct a “door-to-door” survey to gather comprehensive data on different caste groups within its borders. The trend reflects increasing demand in the country for more detailed data on caste, which is linked to political representation and affirmative action for historically disadvantaged groups in public sector jobs and education, including medicine, engineering, and science colleges. But caste data are also politically sensitive, says Sukhadeo Thorat, profe...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research