On 30 April 2025, the central government announced that caste enumeration will be included in the upcoming population census. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that while some states have done caste-based surveys, the census is a Union subject under Article 246, and only the central government has the authority to conduct it.
Vaishnaw said the new decision, under PM Modi’s leadership, aims for transparency and to avoid politicization. He emphasized it would strengthen the social and economic framework, citing the Modi government’s previous move of 10% EWS reservation as a step toward social justice.
