The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a petition seeking a pre-loaded list of Other Backward Classes (OBC) castes in the digital tools proposed for Census 2027, holding that the manner of collecting caste information falls within the domain of policy decisions.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana disposed of the petition filed by the OBC Federation of India. However, the Court permitted the petitioner to approach the Registrar General and Census Commissioner with its request.
The bench directed that a copy of the petition could be forwarded to the authorities for consideration as a representation.
Petition Sought Pre-Loaded Caste Options
The OBC Federation of India had requested that the digital census system include a drop-down menu containing OBC caste names, allowing respondents to select their caste instead of manually typing the information.
Counsel representing the federation submitted that such a feature could be incorporated into the digital enumeration process.
The request came in the context of the Registrar General of India’s decision to adopt an open-ended question for collecting caste information during the population enumeration phase of Census 2027.
Under the proposed approach, respondents would enter their caste details rather than select an option from a predefined list.
Supreme Court Leaves Matter to Census Authorities
The bench observed that the choice between an open-ended question and a pre-loaded selection menu concerns government policy.
Rather than issue directions modifying the digital census format, the Court allowed the federation to submit its proposal to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner.
The petition was accordingly disposed of, leaving the petitioner free to pursue the matter before the concerned authorities.
