New Delhi: For the first time since Independence, the Modi government has approved a nationwide caste census. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move is expected to generate strong political and social reactions, especially regarding reservations.
Welcoming the decision, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the caste census a “first step” toward social justice. He demanded the removal of the 50 percent reservation cap and called for implementing reservation in private educational institutions under Article 15(5) of the Constitution, similar to government institutions.
OBC numbers may rise
The caste census will provide authentic data on the population of various castes, which may lead to demands for expanding the existing quota system. In the 1931 caste census, OBCs were estimated to be over 52% of the population. The Mandal Commission used this figure to justify 27% reservation for OBCs. But recent state surveys suggest the number may be even higher now.
With new data, pressure may build on the government to raise OBC reservations beyond 27%. Ending the 50 percent cap could lead to a complete overhaul of the reservation system. This may increase the presence of backward communities in public education and jobs.
Quota push in private institutions
Rahul Gandhi has also brought private educational institutions into the debate. He has demanded that Article 15(5), which allows reservation in private unaided institutions (excluding minority institutions), be fully implemented. The provision, added by the 93rd Constitutional Amendment, has been upheld by the courts in several landmark cases.
Currently, reservations in India include 15% for SCs, 7.5% for STs, 27% for OBCs, and 10% for EWS. Implementing Article 15(5) would extend this system to private schools and colleges, changing their student demographics significantly. If the caste census is followed by legal and policy changes, both government and private sectors could see a major shift in how social justice is implemented across India.
