Bihar Caste Census Survey

04 Oct 2023 Bihar Caste Census Survey

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Bihar Caste Census Survey”. This topic has relevance in the “Social Issues” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

What are Findings of Bihar Caste Census Survey?

For Mains:

GS1:  Social Issues

Why in the news?

The Bihar government has released the results of its caste survey amid political parties’ efforts to secure the OBC vote in the upcoming elections.

Key Findings of Bihar Caste Census Survey

• Total Population: According to the survey, Bihar’s population has been recorded as 13,07,25,310, surpassing the 10.41 crore figure recorded in the 2011 census.
• Religious Distribution: Hindus comprise 81.99% of Bihar’s population, while Muslims constitute 17.72%. The remaining population of Buddhists, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and other religious groups is relatively small.
• Backward Classes: Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) form more than 63% of Bihar’s population. EBCs, comprising 36.01% of the population, represent the most significant social group in the state, while OBCs account for 27.12%.
• Scheduled Castes: Scheduled Castes (SCs) comprise 19.65% of Bihar’s population.
• Scheduled Tribes: Scheduled Tribes (STs) constitute 1.68% of the population, with a significant portion of the tribal population migrating to Jharkhand after the state’s division in 2000.
• Unreserved Category: The “unreserved” category represents 15.52% of Bihar’s population.

Implications from Bihar Caste Survey:

• OBC Population in Line with Expectations: 
  • It is widely believed that the OBC population would exceed 27%, which aligns with the level of reservation these castes receive. 
  • The Mandal Commission, in its 1980 report, had estimated the OBC population in the country to be around 52%.
• Demand for Reevaluation of OBC Quota: 
  • The Bihar caste survey’s findings, indicating a 10% increase in the OBC population compared to the 1931 census, are likely to strengthen the demand for reevaluating the OBC quota. 
  • Considering their population size, OBC groups have long argued that the so-called forward castes have disproportionately benefitted from government job reservations.
• Impact on Political Landscape: 
  • This caste survey holds significant political significance for the Bihar government, enabling them to maintain their relevance in state politics and emerge as a leading voice in national opposition. 
  • The Bihar government will use the survey data to advocate for “social justice” and “development with justice” as key rallying points.
• Push for Nationwide Caste Census and OBC Quota: 
  • The survey’s results are expected to energise the opposition’s campaign for a nationwide caste census and an OBC quota within the 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. 

Challenges for Bihar Caste Survey:

• Legal Challenges: 

• • The petitions argue that it violates the Supreme Court’s privacy judgement and exceeds the legislative competence of the state government. 
  • They claim it is a census disguised as a survey, which can only be conducted by the central government under the Census Act 1948.

• Quota Ceiling Debate: 

• • The survey is expected to reopen the debate on the 50% reservation ceiling set by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney vs. Union of India case. 

• • The court had established the 50% limit, which can only be exceeded in exceptional circumstances.

• • However, recent judgments have questioned the validity of certain quota limits, such as striking down a Maharashtra law providing reservation to the Maratha community and upholding the 10% EWS quota in a 3:2 majority decision.

Sources: What the Bihar caste survey data says (indianexpress.com)

Download Yojna daily current affairs eng med 4th Oct 2023

Q1. With reference to reservations, consider the following statements: 

1. The Mandal Commission estimated the OBC population in the country to be around 52%.
2. The OBC population in Bihar is in line with expectations, with 43% of the total population.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 2 only 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 

Q2. Discuss the key findings of the recent Bihar caste survey and their implications for the state’s political landscape.

Q3. Assess the potential consequences of reopening the debate on the 50% reservation ceiling as per the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Indra Sawhney vs. Union of India case.

Gaurav N