Caste Census and the Contours of Reservation Politics: Recasting Affirmative Action and Power Structures in Contemporary India

Following the examples of the state governments of Karnataka, Bihar, and Telangana, the Union government of India agreed on 30 April 2025 that the country's next national census, in 2027, should include respondents' caste identity. This 'caste census', the first since 1931, will be a pivotal moment in the trajectory of 'reservation politics' in India and is likely to reignite debates around social justice, equality, and the future of affirmative action programmes. In addition, such a census is also likely to raise complex questions about political mobilisation, resource allocation, and the reconfiguration of power dynamics. This article explores the possible implications of this decision for India's affirmative action policies, highlighting the potential reshaping of socio-political narratives around caste-based deprivations and entitlements.