At 36%, EBCs largest group in Bihar, shows caste study

• The Bihar government recently released the results of its caste survey, shedding light on the state’s demographic composition and caste dynamics.
• Parties have continued to demand a caste census saying that such an exercise is necessary to streamline welfare policies.

Caste Composition

• The survey reveals the caste composition in Bihar as follows
  • Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs): 36.01%
  • Other Backward Classes (OBCs): 27.12%
  • Scheduled Castes (SCs): 19.65%
  • Scheduled Tribes (STs): 1.68%
  • Unreserved: 15.52%
• Hindus make up 81.99%, while Muslims constitute 17.72%.
• Other religious denominations have minuscule populations.

Survey Phases

• The survey occurred in two phases
  • First phase: Involved counting households in January.
  • Second phase: Aimed to collect caste, religion, economic, and family data.

First Caste Census as SECC

• Socio-Economic and Caste Census was conducted for the first time in 1931.
• It is meant to canvas every Indian family, both in rural and urban India, and ask about their economic status and specific caste name.
• It has the potential to allow for a mapping of inequalities at a broader level.

Difference Between Census & SECC

• Census

  • It provides a portrait of the Indian population
  • Since the Census falls under the Census Act of 1948, all data is considered confidential.

• Socio-Economic and Caste Census

  • It is a tool to identify beneficiaries of state support.
  • All the personal information given in the SECC is open for use by Government departments to grant and/or restrict benefits to households.

Prelims Takeaway

• Caste Census
• Census