AIOBCSA Urges President Murmu to Ensure OBC Enumeration and Unique Caste Codes in Census 2027

Hyderabad- The All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA) has appealed to the President of India to intervene and ensure the explicit inclusion of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the Census 2027 questionnaire, along with the introduction of standardised, state-wise unique caste codes for all castes.

In a formal representation submitted to the President of India, Dr. G. Kiran Kumar, National President of AIOBCSA, emphasised the need for an inclusive, transparent, and scientifically accurate caste enumeration process to uphold constitutional principles and strengthen social justice in the country.

Open-Column Enumeration Could Compromise Data Accuracy

AIOBCSA expressed serious concerns over the proposed approach to caste data collection in Census 2027. While Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are enumerated using designated caste and tribe codes, OBCs and upper-caste communities are expected to report their caste names through an open-ended column without a standardised coding mechanism.

The association warned that this disparity could lead to spelling variations, duplication, misclassification, and inaccuracies in the final dataset, undermining the purpose of caste enumeration and evidence-based policymaking.

AIOBCSA demanded a separate OBC column and standardised, state-wise unique caste codes for every caste to ensure accurate, transparent, and comprehensive enumeration.

Referring to Article 340 of the Constitution of India, AIOBCSA emphasised that reliable caste-wise data are essential to identify inequalities, assess backwardness, ensure equitable representation, and formulate effective welfare policies.

The association urged the President of India to direct the concerned authorities to review the census framework and consult OBC organisations and social justice experts to ensure scientifically robust caste enumeration.

Key Demands

1. Explicitly include OBCs in the Census 2027 questionnaire.

2. Introduce a separate OBC column and unique caste codes for all castes.

3. Replace open-ended caste reporting with a standardised coding mechanism to prevent errors and duplication.

4. Ensure transparent and comprehensive caste enumeration through consultations with OBC organisations and social justice experts.

Dr. G. Kiran Kumar stressed that if SCs and STs can be enumerated through designated codes, a similarly robust mechanism must be established for OBCs and all other castes. Without reliable caste-wise data, the objectives of accurate enumeration, equitable representation, and social justice could be compromised.

Student Leaders Supporting the Representation

The representation and the association’s demands were supported by student leaders Vasumati Yadav, Kondal, Laxmi Narsaiah, Varsham Mallesh, Rajinikanth Goud, Moulika, Ganesh, Naresh Yadav, and Pavan, who reiterated the need for an inclusive and scientifically accurate caste census.

AIOBCSA called upon the President of India to intervene to ensure that Census 2027 leaves no community uncounted and provides a reliable foundation for social justice and evidence-based policymaking.