Key Points
- Caste Census Approved: The Union Cabinet, led by PM Narendra Modi, has decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census for the first time in nearly a century.
- Transparent Data Collection: The caste data will be collected in a structured, transparent manner to inform policy and resource distribution.
- Political Context: The decision comes ahead of crucial Bihar elections, with opposition parties long demanding a caste census.
- Multiple Cabinet Decisions: Alongside the caste census, the Cabinet approved a ₹22,864 crore Shillong-Silchar high-speed highway project and raised the sugarcane Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to ₹355 per quintal.
- High-Level Meetings: PM Modi chaired four key meetings in one day, including on security and economic affairs, amid heightened tensions after the Pahalgam attack.
New Delhi: In a historic decision, the Narendra Modi-led central government has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming national census, marking the first such move in nearly 94 years. The decision, announced after a high-level Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi on April 30, 2025, is set to reshape India’s approach to social justice, resource allocation, and reservation policies.
Caste Census: What’s New?
For the first time since 1931, the national census will feature a dedicated column for caste, allowing the government to collect comprehensive data on the country’s diverse social fabric. This move is expected to provide accurate information on the population of various castes, which will be crucial for designing welfare schemes, distributing resources, and determining reservation quotas.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, briefing the media on the Cabinet’s decisions, emphasized that the enumeration would be conducted in a transparent and structured manner. He criticized previous opposition-led governments for politicizing the issue without implementing a genuine caste census, noting that earlier efforts, like the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), were limited in scope.
Political Significance Ahead of Bihar Elections
The timing of the announcement is significant, coming just months before the Bihar assembly elections. The opposition, particularly Congress and regional leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, have long demanded a caste census, arguing it is essential for social justice and equitable policy-making. The BJP’s decision to move forward with the census is seen as a strategic response to these demands and could reshape the political landscape in Bihar and beyond.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar welcomed the move, highlighting that detailed caste data will help uplift marginalized communities by informing targeted policies.
Other Major Cabinet Decisions
1. Shillong-Silchar High-Speed Corridor:
The Cabinet also approved a ₹22,864 crore project to build a 166.8 km, four-lane greenfield highway connecting Shillong (Meghalaya) and Silchar (Assam). This strategic corridor will enhance connectivity across the Northeast, boost trade, tourism, and industrial growth, and provide a vital link for several northeastern states.
2. Sugarcane FRP Hike:
To support India’s five crore sugarcane farmers, the Cabinet raised the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane to ₹355 per quintal for the 2025-26 season, up from ₹340. This move ensures higher incomes for farmers and stability in the sugar sector, with special provisions for those with lower sugar recovery rates.
PM Modi’s Day of High-Level Meetings
Amid heightened national security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack, PM Modi chaired four crucial meetings in a single day, including those of the Cabinet Committee on Security, Political Affairs, and Economic Affairs, as well as a full Union Cabinet session. These meetings addressed security, economic, and political strategies, underscoring the government’s proactive stance during a period of national tension.
The Modi government’s approval of a nationwide caste census marks a transformative step in India’s demographic policy, promising more inclusive governance and data-driven decision-making. Coupled with major investments in infrastructure and agriculture, the Cabinet’s latest decisions reflect a comprehensive approach to social, economic, and regional development at a critical juncture for the nation.
