In a politically and socially transformative move, the Narendra Modi-led government has officially approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming national Census. This decision, announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after a Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) meeting, could significantly reshape India’s political landscape.

Vaishnaw described the decision as a necessary governance reform and a corrective step. He said, “While some states have tried caste surveys, these were often politically motivated and lacked transparency. By incorporating caste data into the formal Census, we aim to ensure credibility and national consistency.”

Taking aim at the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies, Vaishnaw accused them of politicising the caste census demand without ever delivering. He reminded that in 2010, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh promised caste enumeration, and though a ministerial panel was formed, the UPA failed to implement it, instead conducting the SECC, which lacked reliable caste data.

The decision comes at a time when the opposition, particularly Rahul Gandhi, had turned the caste census into a central electoral plank. Gandhi has frequently accused the BJP of evading the issue. But with the Modi government now leading the charge, the BJP has effectively neutralised a key campaign weapon of the INDIA bloc — especially in states like Bihar, where caste identity heavily influences voter behaviour.

Observers note that this strategic pivot could lead to tension and recalibration within the opposition alliance, which was relying on caste equity as a major electoral theme.

More than an administrative update, the move represents a calculated political repositioning by the BJP. It opens the door to more targeted social policies while also challenging the opposition’s narrative on inclusivity and backward class representation.

Vaishnaw drew parallels to the successful implementation of 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), stating that the Modi government has a proven track record of managing socially sensitive reforms without disturbing societal harmony.

As the Census machinery prepares for rollout, all eyes will be on how the caste data is collected, used, and interpreted. For now, the Modi government has reshaped a core opposition issue into its own governance triumph — potentially shifting the course of electoral politics leading into 2025 and beyond.