Caste Based Survey Released in Bihar

• 03 Oct 2023

Why In News?

On October 2, 2023, Bihar Development Commissioner Vivek Kumar Singh held a press conference and released the caste census data.

Key Points:

• According to statistics, the population of extremely backward and backward classes in the state is 63%. Of these, backward classes are 27.12% and extremely backward classes are 36.01%. Scheduled Castes constitute 19.65% and Scheduled Tribes 1.68%, while unreserved (Hindus and Muslims) constitute 15.52% of the total population. Among them, the upper castes (Bhumihars, Brahmins, Rajputs and Kayasthas) constitute 10.56%
• In the first phase of the caste census, the process of survey of households started from January 7, 2023. It was completed by January 31. The second phase was to run from April 15 to May 15, but on May 4, the counting work was stopped on the order of the High Court. The High Court gave the green signal on August 1.
• The state's population has increased by 2.66 crore in 11 years to 13 crore 7 lakh. At the same time, in the report released by the caste-based census, the number of castes has been stated as 214.
• It is noteworthy that for the first time since independence, an ethnic-based survey was released in a state in the country. Before Bihar, states like Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, etc. had initiated caste census, but they could not release the report.