QUE: Critically analyse the need for a caste-based survey in India. Also, discuss how such a survey can contribute to removing socio-economic inequalities and advancing social justice?

  A caste-based survey is used to collect data on castes, sub-castes and religion of the population. It also collects data on the socio-economic conditions of the population. Recently, Bihar released the findings of the caste-based survey [, which has led to a demand for a nationwide survey.

• Positive aspects of caste-based survey
  

•  This will help the government in formulating policies and will help in better targeting of welfare schemes as well as reducing the losses due to possible errors in identification of beneficiaries.
  
• The findings of such surveys can be used to identify disadvantaged groups in the society.
  
•  The results of this survey will increase the demand for increasing the OBC quota beyond 27% and for the quota for Economically Backward Classes (EBCs).
  
• The survey data will re-open the debate on the 50% cap on reservation imposed by the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992).
  
•  The caste-based census can be appropriately used to develop targeted measures to reduce large-scale inequalities across the state and promote equality and social justice in the long run.
  
•  Negative aspects of caste-based survey
  
• Caste has an emotional element and hence caste census has political and social side effects. There are concerns that caste census can help in strengthening or hardening identities.

•  The findings of this survey can be used for political gain by dividing the society on the basis of caste, which goes against the basic spirit of unity in diversity.
  
•  Instead of caste-based surveys, an effective and timely census can be used to identify the status of the population and improve the implementation of government schemes through digitalization.
  
•  Critics assert that assigning caste identity to all citizens, irrespective of their intention to avail state benefits, violates the rights to identity, dignity, privacy of information and choice under Article 21.
  
•  The names of some castes appear in both the Scheduled Caste list and the OBC list. Scheduled Castes who have converted to Christianity or Islam are also treated differently in different states.
  
•  Contribution of such surveys in removing socio-economic inequalities and advancing social justice
  

•  It has been observed that upper castes are over-represented in high-level government jobs. Thus, such surveys can help in removing the representation gap and taking necessary steps to uplift the disadvantaged and backward classes.
  
•  Caste-based surveys will help in achieving the objectives stated in the Directive Principles of State Policies (DPSP) set out in Part IV of the Constitution. It will largely help in achieving the socio-economic objectives set out by the framers of the Constitution. Thus, it will be instrumental in fulfilling the constitutional obligations.
  
• Way Forward

•  Incorporation of digital technology will ensure accuracy, speed and cost-effectiveness of caste-based survey data.
  
•  Information obtained from various sources such as National Sample Survey, Population Census, Socio-Economic Caste Census can be harmonized and integrated to help the government in its work.

                       Caste-based surveys should adopt a framework that protects the privacy and dignity of the participants, however, apart from surveys, other strategies such as public awareness campaigns, regular reviews and capacity building initiatives should also be implemented to further social integration and reduce inequalities.