Core Viewpoint - The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs announced plans to conduct a nationwide population census and a caste census by March 2027, which has sparked widespread attention in Indian society [1] Group 1: Historical Context of Caste Census - The last successful caste census in India was conducted in 1931 during British rule, and since then, caste classification has been a sensitive issue in Indian society [1] - The British colonial authorities used caste as a governance tool, categorizing the population based on caste to maintain colonial order and political division [2] - The caste system in India has historically divided society into four main categories: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, with strict occupational roles associated with each caste [5] Group 2: Evolution of Caste Census Methodology - The first population census in India in 1872 included caste as a statistical category, establishing a framework for caste classification [5] - The methodology for caste classification has evolved over time, with various approaches including occupational statistics and ritual hierarchy being employed in different census years [6] - The 1931 census introduced the category of "oppressed castes," which later became the basis for the Scheduled Castes classification [6] Group 3: Social Resistance and Political Implications - Each census has faced social resistance, with various caste groups protesting against the classification methods and the implications for their social status [7] - The 1941 census was not conducted due to World War II and the Indian independence movement, which included widespread resistance to caste census by the Indian National Congress [8] - Post-independence, the Indian government halted caste data collection due to concerns that it would entrench caste divisions and hinder democratic development [8][9]