OBC employees’ association in T.N. seeks caste census

• The National Confederation of Other Backward Classes Employees Welfare Associations (NCOBC) has appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to initiate caste census in the State.

First Caste Census as SECC

• Socio-Economic and Caste Census was conducted for the first time in 1931.
• It is meant to canvas every Indian family, both in rural and urban India, and ask about their economic status and specific caste name.
• It has the potential to allow for a mapping of inequalities at a broader level.

Difference Between Census & SECC

• Census
  • It provides a portrait of the Indian population
  • Since the Census falls under the Census Act of 1948, all data is considered confidential.
• Socio-Economic and Caste Census
  • It is a tool to identify beneficiaries of state support.
  • All the personal information given in the SECC is open for use by Government departments to grant and/or restrict benefits to households.

Prelims Takeaway

• Caste Census
• Census