What’s in Today’s Article?

• Caste Census Latest News
• Introduction
• Historical Context of Caste Enumeration
• Defining the OBC Category and Challenges in Representation
• Broader Social Implications
• Conclusion
• Caste Census India FAQs

Caste Census Latest News

• Recently, the Central Government announced that a caste enumeration will be included with the forthcoming census.

Introduction

• The Central Government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national Census marks a pivotal moment in the country’s socio-political evolution. 
• The move is not just administrative, it is deeply political. 
• As debates around representation, resource allocation, and social justice intensify, the caste census is being viewed as a corrective measure to decades of skewed data and policy imbalance. 
• This new phase could reshape the contours of caste-based politics and governance in India.

Historical Context of Caste Enumeration

• Caste enumeration in India began under British colonial rule with the first formal Census in 1872. 
• The 1901 Census under H.H. Risley converted the exercise into a political instrument by introducing caste classification, which later influenced the formation of caste organizations and discourse across the subcontinent.
• Post-independence, caste was excluded from enumeration, barring Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 
• The assumption was that caste consciousness would fade in a democratic, egalitarian framework. 
• However, this exclusion overlooked the vast diversity and socio-economic inequities among Other Backward Classes (OBCs), especially the most deprived segments.

Defining the OBC Category and Challenges in Representation

• The first attempt to identify OBCs was made through the Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953), which listed around 2,300 communities. 
• Yet, its recommendations were dismissed due to vague criteria and lack of political consensus. 
• A more radical intervention came from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, who argued that "merit comes from opportunity," advocating for greater access for marginalized communities.
• The breakthrough came with the Mandal Commission Report (1980), which estimated that OBCs comprised 52% of India’s population and recommended 27% reservations in public jobs and educational institutions. 
• While the report's partial implementation in 1990 changed India’s political landscape, it also exposed the limitations of relying on outdated 1931 data. Since then, the demand for a fresh caste census has gained momentum.

Broader Social Implications

• While OBCs have gained political representation over the decades, this has disproportionately benefited intermediary and dominant backward castes. 
• Several smaller SC and OBC communities remain invisible in public policy and electoral equations due to lack of data, leadership, and targeted welfare.
• A caste-based census could democratize representation by bringing such groups into focus. It could also shed light on land ownership, education, and access to government schemes, revealing the economic underpinnings of caste inequalities. 
• The enumeration would not only serve OBCs but also denotified tribes, nomadic communities, and underrepresented minorities.

Conclusion

The inclusion of caste enumeration in the national Census signals a paradigm shift in India’s social contract. By generating granular data on caste and correlating it with economic indicators, the state can better target welfare schemes and bridge persistent gaps in representation. 

If implemented transparently and sensitively, the caste census can become a tool for inclusive development, rectifying decades of structural inequities and ensuring that no community is left behind in India’s democratic journey.

Caste Census India FAQs

Q1. When was the last caste-based Census conducted in India?

Ans. The last caste-based Census was conducted in 1931 during British rule.

Q2. What was the Mandal Commission’s estimate of the OBC population?

Ans. The Mandal Commission estimated that OBCs make up about 52% of India’s population.

Q3. Why is the caste census being demanded now?

Ans. A caste census is being demanded to update outdated data and ensure equitable policy and political representation.

Q4. Which political parties currently support caste enumeration?

Ans. Parties like Congress, Samajwadi Party, and JD(U), among others, are supporting caste enumeration as part of their electoral and social justice strategy.

Q5. How can a caste census help marginalized communities?

Ans. It can bring visibility to underrepresented groups, guide targeted welfare, and correct imbalances in political representation and resource allocation.

Source: TH

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Civil Defence Drills Latest News
• Overview of Civil Defence
• MHA Issues Civil Defence Directives
• Civil Defence Drills FAQs

Civil Defence Drills Latest News

• Amid rising tensions along the Line of Control following the Pahalgam terror attack and the possibility of an Indian military response, the Centre has instructed northern and western states and Union Territories to test and reinforce their civil defence systems. 
• The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed states like Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana to conduct mock drills on May 7 to prepare for any hostile attack. 

Overview of Civil Defence

• Civil Defence measures are designed to address emergency situations, protect the public, and help restore critical services and infrastructure damaged by disasters or hostile attacks.

Historical Background

• Initially, Civil Defence in India focused on awareness and planning under the Emergency Relief Organization (ERO).
• The 1962 China War and 1965 Indo-Pak conflict prompted a policy shift.
• This led to the enactment of the Civil Defence Act, 1968, enabling protective measures across India during hostile attacks.

Civil Defence Act, 1968 and Amendments

• The Civil Defence Act, 1968 authorizes non-combat measures to protect people and property from hostile attacks via air, land, or sea.
• It also enables the formation of the Civil Defence Corps and the creation of rules and regulations.
• The 2009 Amendment expanded its scope to include disaster management as an additional function of Civil Defence, covering both natural and man-made disasters.

Geographical Scope and Categorization

• Though applicable across India, Civil Defence is operational in tactically and strategically vulnerable areas.
• Civil Defence activities are currently limited to 259 categorized towns across 36 States and Union Territories.
• 100 Multi-Hazard Prone Districts have been specifically identified for enhanced preparedness.

Organizational Structure

• Civil Defence is primarily volunteer-based, supported by a small number of paid staff during peacetime and expanded during crises.
• The current volunteer target is 14.11 lakh, of which 5.38 lakh have already been raised.
• The organisation is managed and trained by Deputy Controllers, Medical Officers, and Civil Defence Instructors.
• Duty and training allowances are provided to volunteers.
• The long-term goal is to have 1 crore Civil Defence volunteers across India within 7 years.

MHA Issues Civil Defence Directives

• The Ministry of Home Affairs instructed states like Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana to conduct mock drills on May 7. 
• The drills will be conducted down to the village level in 244 vulnerable districts.

Key Measures Include

• Operationalising air raid sirens
• Implementing blackout protocols
• Training civilians and students on safety measures
• Evacuation rehearsals
• Camouflaging critical infrastructure (e.g., power plants, military sites)

Mobilisation of Civil Defence volunteers

• Over 4 lakh Civil Defence volunteers under the Directorate General, Civil Defence (DGC), MHA will be mobilised.
• These steps aim to enhance preparedness against potential aerial or ground attacks.

Examples of Measures Already Taken

• A 30-minute blackout drill was conducted in Ferozepur, Punjab on May 4, where residents switched off lights from 9:00–9:30 PM.
• The Ferozepur Cantonment Board issued public advisories for participation.

Civil Defence Drills FAQs

Q1. What prompted the Centre to initiate civil defence drills?

Ans. Rising tensions after the Pahalgam attack and potential military retaliation prompted the Centre to initiate preparedness measures.

Q2. Which states are conducting the drills?

Ans. Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana were instructed to conduct civil defence drills on May 7.

Q3. What is the Civil Defence Act, 1968?

Ans. It authorizes non-combat measures to protect civilians and property during hostile attacks and includes volunteer mobilisation.

Q4. What activities are included in the drills?

Ans. Air raid sirens, blackout drills, camouflaging infrastructure, evacuation training, and volunteer mobilisation are key activities.

Q5. What are India's long-term goals for civil defence?

Ans. The goal is to train 1 crore Civil Defence volunteers across India in the next 7 years.

Source: IE | TH | DGFSCDHG

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Voter ID Rules in India Latest News
• Rules Regarding Voter ID Eligibility and Verification
• How Citizenship is Determined for Voter Registration
• Cases of Non-Citizens Holding Voter IDs
• Voter ID Rules in India FAQs

Voter ID Rules in India Latest News

• Following a government order in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, hundreds of Pakistani nationals have been deported from India. 
• Several deportees, however, claimed possession of Indian identity documents, such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and Voter IDs.

Rules Regarding Voter ID Eligibility and Verification

• Article 326 of the Indian Constitution grants the right to vote to every Indian citizen aged 18 years or above in elections to the Lok Sabha and State/UT Assemblies.

Disqualification Criteria (Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1950– Section 16)

• A person can be disqualified from voter registration if they:
  • Are not a citizen of India.
  • Are of unsound mind, as declared by a competent court.
  • Are disqualified under any law related to corrupt practices or election-related offences.

Application Process (Form 6)

• Form 6 -the Election Commission of India’s (ECI’s) form for registering new electors - is used for registering new electors with the ECI.
• Requires self-attested documents for:
  • Age proof
  • Address proof
• No separate citizenship proof is needed, but the applicant must sign a citizenship declaration.

Penalties for False Declaration (Section 31, RP Act)

• If the citizenship declaration is false, the applicant can face:
  • Up to 1 year of imprisonment
  • Or a fine
  • Or both

Verification by Electoral Authorities

• Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) verifies claims and objections.
• Booth Level Officers (BLOs) assist EROs by collecting forms and documents.
• The ERO may also conduct hearings and investigations before finalizing entries.

How Citizenship is Determined for Voter Registration

• Responsibility of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)
  • The ERO must ensure that no ineligible person, including non-citizens, is added to the electoral roll.
  • The ERO must independently verify the applicant’s citizenship status, especially when a claim or objection is raised.
  • The ERO is expected to evaluate all evidence presented during the inquiry without external influence.
• Initial Onus of Proof
  • The applicant bears the initial burden of proof to establish Indian citizenship when applying for the first time.
• Special Cases
  • For migrants within India, the ERO cross-checks with the District Election Officer (DEO) of the applicant’s previous district.
  • For married women without documentary proof:
    • Previous voter registration as an unmarried woman can be considered.
    • Proof of marriage or certificates from village heads (before and after marriage) may be accepted.
• Objections to Citizenship
  • If someone objects to an applicant’s citizenship, the burden of proof shifts to the objector.
  • However, the ERO may still require the applicant to provide proof of Indian citizenship in such cases

Cases of Non-Citizens Holding Voter IDs

• Previous Instances
  • Non-citizens obtaining voter IDs is not a new issue.
  • The Election Commission of India (ECI) has previously identified and removed such ineligible voters from the electoral rolls.
  • Legal action has been initiated in cases where objections were found valid.
• Current Measures
  • The ECI is working to link Aadhaar with Voter IDs to prevent non-citizens from registering.
• Limitations of Aadhaar Linkage
  • Possession of Aadhaar by non-citizens makes detection difficult, as Aadhaar alone cannot confirm citizenship.
  • Thus, Aadhaar linkage is not a foolproof solution for identifying ineligible voters.

Voter ID Rules in India FAQs

Q1. Who can vote in India as per the Constitution?

Ans. Every Indian citizen aged 18 or above is eligible to vote under Article 326 of the Constitution.

Q2. Can non-citizens apply for a Voter ID?

Ans. No. Non-citizens are disqualified under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Q3. What documents are needed for Voter ID registration?

Ans. Age and address proofs are needed. Citizenship is self-declared, not verified through a specific document.

Q4. What if a false citizenship claim is made?

Ans. Under Section 31, punishment includes imprisonment up to 1 year, a fine, or both.

Q5. Is Aadhaar enough to confirm citizenship?

Ans. No. Aadhaar cannot confirm citizenship and may allow non-citizens to falsely register.

Source: IE | ECI

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Triple Test to Determine Reservation for OBCs in Local Bodies Latest News
• What is the “Triple Test”?
• Progress in Jharkhand
• Survey Methodology and Scope
• OBC Population in Jharkhand
• Conclusion
• Triple Test to Determine Reservation for OBCs in Local Bodies FAQs

Triple Test to Determine Reservation for OBCs in Local Bodies Latest News

• Jharkhand has completed the data collection process to determine reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), complying with the Supreme Court-mandated “triple test” criteria. 
• This marks a significant step in implementing constitutionally valid OBC reservations in urban governance.

What is the “Triple Test”?

• About: The “triple test” is a legal framework laid down by the Supreme Court in Vikas Kishanrao Gawali vs State of Maharashtra (2021) to ensure that OBC reservations in local bodies are fair, evidence-based, and within constitutional limits.
• It comprises three steps:
  • Constitution of a dedicated commission: A body tasked with conducting a rigorous empirical inquiry into the backwardness of OBCs in local bodies.
  • Recommendation-based reservation: Determining quantum of reservation based on the commission’s findings to avoid arbitrary or excessive quotas.
  • Reservation ceiling: Ensuring that total reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs does not exceed 50% of the total seats in local bodies.

Progress in Jharkhand

• Establishment of OBC Commission:
  • The Jharkhand OBC Commission was constituted in June 2023.
  • Commission members studied Madhya Pradesh’s implementation of the triple test as a model.
• Data collection timeline: Data collection completed (between December 2023 - March 2024) and submitted (recently, several districts missed their submission deadlines) to the Commission.
• Verification and analysis:
  • Data will be handed to empanelled institutions like IIM, Xavier School of Management (XLRI) and Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) for socio-economic and educational analysis.
  • A final report will be submitted to the state government post-verification. Based on which, Jharkhand will determine OBC quotas in the 48 ULBs across the state.
• Administrative bottleneck: The Chairperson's post is vacant, and the report cannot be officially submitted without their approval.

Survey Methodology and Scope

• A door-to-door survey identified OBC voters and their population share in urban areas only.
• Focused on:
  • Political representation in urban local bodies in Jharkhand over the last 25 years.
  • Caste-wise data of elected representatives (MPs, MLAs, Mayors, Panchayat members).
  • Historical data of winners from general seats in the last two ULB elections.
• Not a caste census: Unlike the all-India caste census, this is urban-specific and focused on ULB quota eligibility.

OBC Population in Jharkhand

• OBCs constitute ~50% of the state’s population.
• Subdivided into:
  • BC-I (Backward Class I): More socially and educationally backward; includes 127 castes.
  • BC-II (Backward Class II): Relatively better-off; includes around 45 castes.
• Kudmi/Mahato community is the largest OBC group, accounting for 15% of the electorate.

Conclusion

• Successful implementation of the Triple Test in Jharkhand could set a precedent for other states to follow in ensuring constitutionally valid and data-driven OBC reservations in local governance. 
• This process not only strengthens grassroots democracy but also enhances the inclusivity and representational equity of India’s urban political landscape.

Triple Test to Determine Reservation for OBCs in Local Bodies FAQs

Q1. What is the "Triple Test" laid down by the Supreme Court regarding OBC reservation in local bodies?

Ans. The "Triple Test" requires the constitution of a dedicated commission for empirical inquiry, determination of reservation proportion based on its recommendations, and ensuring total SC/ST/OBC reservation does not exceed 50%.

Q2. How has Jharkhand progressed in implementing the Triple Test for OBC reservation in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)?

Ans. Jharkhand has completed OBC data collection across all districts and is preparing a final report through empanelled research institutes.

Q3. How does the recent OBC survey in Jharkhand differ from the nationwide caste census?

Ans. The Jharkhand survey focused only on OBC population and political representation in urban areas, unlike the nationwide caste census which aims to cover all castes across the entire country.

Q4. What is the composition and classification of OBCs in Jharkhand?

Ans. Jharkhand classifies OBCs into BC-I (more backward, 127 castes) and BC-II (relatively better-off, 45 castes), with OBCs forming about 50% of the state population.

Q5. Why is the final report on OBC data in Jharkhand yet to be submitted?

Ans. The final report cannot be submitted because the chairperson's post of the Jharkhand OBC Commission is currently vacant.

Source: IE