Modi Govt's Big Announcement, Caste Survey To Be Part Of Next Population Census

New Delhi: In a big move, the Modi government on Wednesday announced that caste survey will be part of the next population census. The decision was announced after PM Modi chaired a cabinet meeting earlier today.

Making the announcement, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said, “Cabinet Committee on political affairs has decided today that caste enumeration should be included in the forthcoming census.”

Addressing a press conference, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, " Congress govts have always opposed the caste census. In 2010, the late Dr Manmohan Singh said that the matter of caste census should be considered in the Cabinet. A group of ministers was formed to consider this subject. Most of the political parties have recommended a caste census. Despite this, the Congress government decided to conduct a survey of caste or a caste census. It is well understood that Congress and its INDI alliance partners have used the caste census only as a political tool. Some states have conducted surveys to enumerate castes. While some states have done this well, some others conducted such surveys only from a political angle in a non-transparent way. Such surveys created doubts in society. To ensure that our social fabric is not disturbed by politics, caste enumeration should be included in the census instead of surveys".

Taking to X soon after announcing Centre's big decision to conduct caste survey, Union Minister said, “The cabinet committee on political affairs, headed by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has decided that caste count should be included in the upcoming census. This shows that the present government is committed to the all-around development and values ​​of the country and society. Even in the past, when 10% reservation was provided to the poor sections of the society, it was widely accepted in the society, and no social tension was created. Many thanks to the Prime Minister.”

Among other announcements, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced building a new high-speed highway corridor connecting Meghalaya and Assam from Shillong to Silchar. The estimated cost for this project will be Rs 22,864 crore.

The Union Minister also announced fair and remunerative price for sugarcane for sugar season 2025-26 that has been fixed at Rs 355 per quintal adding that this is the benchmark price below which it cannot be bought.

Modi Govt's high-level cabinet meeting 

The decision to conduct the caste census was taken in the high-level cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the host of issues and with an utmost priority on deciding India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

PM Modi chaired three crucial meetings including the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) and Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

The CCS meeting discussed security preparedness in the wake of the Pahalgam incident. This was its second sitting. The first CCS meet was held a day after Pahalgam attack on April 23.

These three key meetings have come day after PM Modi headed a top security meeting comprising Defence Minister, NSA, CDS among other key security officials.

In the first CCS meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed about the Pahalgam terror attack and a possible initial action that India could have taken to punish perpetrators of terror. The meeting took place after PM Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit and flown back early.

Soon after the CCS meeting, government launched 5 big strikes at terror sponsor Pakistan and announced a series of measures, including holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, closing down Attari border, directing all Pakistani nations to leave India in 48 hours, further reducing diplomatic staff between both the nations, among others.

Meanwhile in the top security meeting which was held on Tuesday, PM Modi gave a free hand to all 3 armed forces and nod for full operational freedom to punish the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack their masters and planners.

The Prime Minister affirmed that it is our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism and expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the Indian Armed Forces. He said that they have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of their response.