On April 30, 2025, the Indian government, through the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, announced that caste enumeration will be included in the upcoming national census, expected to begin in 2025 and conclude by 2026. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that this decision aims to ensure transparency and strengthen social and economic policies while maintaining national unity. The move has been described as historic by some political leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, and has sparked varied reactions. While some, like the Bihar BJP unit and opposition leaders, welcomed it, others, including Congress, faced criticism for allegedly using the issue politically. The census will follow standardized protocols to ensure credible data, addressing concerns about state-level surveys. This decision responds to long-standing demands for a caste census, notably from the opposition INDIA alliance and states like Bihar, which conducted its own caste survey in 2023.
For decades, Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups in India have fought tirelessly for social, economic, and political empowerment, navigating a complex landscape of caste-based inequalities. Their struggle, marked by historic milestones like the Mandal Commission’s implementation and the recent announcement of caste enumeration in the 2025–2026 national census, offers profound lessons for policymakers, activists, and society at large. These lessons, drawn from years of mobilization and advocacy, highlight the challenges and strategies that have shaped the OBC movement and its ongoing quest for justice.
1. Persistence Yields Results, but Equity Remains Elusive
The OBC movement’s persistence, exemplified by the agitations following the Mandal Commission’s 1980 recommendations, led to a transformative 27% reservation in central government jobs and education. Yet, progress has been uneven. The Rohini Commission (2017–2023) revealed that 97% of reservation benefits accrue to just 25% of OBC castes, with dominant groups like Yadavs and Kurmis reaping disproportionate gains. This underscores the need for sub-categorization to ensure that marginalized OBC communities also benefit, a lesson critical for equitable policy design.
The OBC movement’s persistence, exemplified by the agitations following the Mandal Commission’s 1980 recommendations, led to a transformative 27% reservation in central government jobs and education. Yet, progress has been uneven. The Rohini Commission (2017–2023) revealed that 97% of reservation benefits accrue to just 25% of OBC castes, with dominant groups like Yadavs and Kurmis reaping disproportionate gains. This underscores the need for sub-categorization to ensure that marginalized OBC communities also benefit, a lesson critical for equitable policy design.
2. Data as a Catalyst for Change
The absence of comprehensive caste data has long hindered targeted interventions for OBCs. The government’s recent decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census, announced on April 30, 2025, responds to decades of demands from OBC groups and allies like the Samajwadi Party. Bihar’s 2023 caste survey, which showed OBCs and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) constitute over 63% of the population, validated their demographic significance. This lesson emphasizes that credible, transparent data is indispensable for evidence-based policymaking and overcoming political resistance.
The absence of comprehensive caste data has long hindered targeted interventions for OBCs. The government’s recent decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census, announced on April 30, 2025, responds to decades of demands from OBC groups and allies like the Samajwadi Party. Bihar’s 2023 caste survey, which showed OBCs and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) constitute over 63% of the population, validated their demographic significance. This lesson emphasizes that credible, transparent data is indispensable for evidence-based policymaking and overcoming political resistance.
3. Political Mobilization Drives Impact, but Unity is Fragile
The rise of OBCs as a political force since the 1990s, often called India’s “silent revolution,” was powered by regional parties like the Janata Dal and Samajwadi Party, which capitalized on OBC numerical strength. However, the diversity of over 2,000 OBC castes, with varying socio-economic statuses, has led to fragmentation. Dominant castes often overshadow smaller ones, diluting collective advocacy. Building inclusive leadership that amplifies marginalized OBC voices is essential for sustained impact.
The rise of OBCs as a political force since the 1990s, often called India’s “silent revolution,” was powered by regional parties like the Janata Dal and Samajwadi Party, which capitalized on OBC numerical strength. However, the diversity of over 2,000 OBC castes, with varying socio-economic statuses, has led to fragmentation. Dominant castes often overshadow smaller ones, diluting collective advocacy. Building inclusive leadership that amplifies marginalized OBC voices is essential for sustained impact.
4. Reservations Are Not a Panacea
While the 27% reservation policy has boosted OBC representation—21.57% in central government jobs by 2016—it has not addressed deeper structural issues like educational access, poverty, and social stigma. Rural OBC students often lack access to quality education, limiting their ability to compete for reserved seats. Initiatives like the PM-DAKSH scheme for skill development highlight the need for holistic empowerment programs that complement quotas with education, economic self-reliance, and skill-building.
While the 27% reservation policy has boosted OBC representation—21.57% in central government jobs by 2016—it has not addressed deeper structural issues like educational access, poverty, and social stigma. Rural OBC students often lack access to quality education, limiting their ability to compete for reserved seats. Initiatives like the PM-DAKSH scheme for skill development highlight the need for holistic empowerment programs that complement quotas with education, economic self-reliance, and skill-building.
5. Social Backwardness is Intertwined with Economic and Educational Gaps
The OBC struggle has shown that social backwardness, as recognized under Article 16(4) of the Constitution, is inseparable from educational and economic deprivation. OBCs’ average monthly per capita consumption expenditure is only 65% of that of upper castes, and their educational attainment lags by 2.21 years. Policies must address these interconnected disadvantages to uplift OBC communities comprehensively.
The OBC struggle has shown that social backwardness, as recognized under Article 16(4) of the Constitution, is inseparable from educational and economic deprivation. OBCs’ average monthly per capita consumption expenditure is only 65% of that of upper castes, and their educational attainment lags by 2.21 years. Policies must address these interconnected disadvantages to uplift OBC communities comprehensively.
6. Alliances Amplify Advocacy
The OBC movement gained momentum when supported by Scheduled Castes (SCs) during the Mandal agitations, but tensions later arose, particularly where dominant OBCs employed SCs as laborers. Building and sustaining alliances with SCs, Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other marginalized groups, such as Muslim OBCs in Bengal, can strengthen advocacy for shared goals like social justice and equitable resource allocation.
The OBC movement gained momentum when supported by Scheduled Castes (SCs) during the Mandal agitations, but tensions later arose, particularly where dominant OBCs employed SCs as laborers. Building and sustaining alliances with SCs, Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other marginalized groups, such as Muslim OBCs in Bengal, can strengthen advocacy for shared goals like social justice and equitable resource allocation.
7. Navigating Resistance and Internal Hierarchies
The OBC struggle has faced fierce opposition from upper castes, notably during the anti-Mandal protests, and continues to encounter narratives framing reservations as “appeasement.” Internally, hierarchies among OBCs—where “upper OBCs” like Yadavs wield more influence—have created inequities. Addressing both external opposition and internal disparities is crucial for inclusive progress.
The OBC struggle has faced fierce opposition from upper castes, notably during the anti-Mandal protests, and continues to encounter narratives framing reservations as “appeasement.” Internally, hierarchies among OBCs—where “upper OBCs” like Yadavs wield more influence—have created inequities. Addressing both external opposition and internal disparities is crucial for inclusive progress.
8. Cultural Pride as Empowerment
OBC communities, including Yadavs, Kumhars, and Lohars, have enriched India’s cultural heritage through folk arts, crafts, and traditions. Recognizing and promoting these contributions, as championed by social reformers like Jyotirao Phule, fosters community pride and counters stereotypes of backwardness. Cultural empowerment must accompany socio-economic upliftment.
OBC communities, including Yadavs, Kumhars, and Lohars, have enriched India’s cultural heritage through folk arts, crafts, and traditions. Recognizing and promoting these contributions, as championed by social reformers like Jyotirao Phule, fosters community pride and counters stereotypes of backwardness. Cultural empowerment must accompany socio-economic upliftment.
9. State-Specific Strategies Are Essential
The OBC movement’s success varies across states. Tamil Nadu’s early sub-categorization and high reservation cap (69%) offer a model for equitable distribution, while states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have lagged in mobilization. Tailored, state-specific policies are vital to address the diverse needs of OBC communities.
The OBC movement’s success varies across states. Tamil Nadu’s early sub-categorization and high reservation cap (69%) offer a model for equitable distribution, while states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have lagged in mobilization. Tailored, state-specific policies are vital to address the diverse needs of OBC communities.
10. Policies Must Evolve Continuously
The dynamic nature of the OBC list, with castes added or removed based on socio-economic factors, reflects the need for ongoing policy review. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), granted constitutional status in 2018, and initiatives like the Rohini Commission highlight the importance of adaptive mechanisms to address challenges like the “creamy layer” exclusion and sub-categorization debates.
The dynamic nature of the OBC list, with castes added or removed based on socio-economic factors, reflects the need for ongoing policy review. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), granted constitutional status in 2018, and initiatives like the Rohini Commission highlight the importance of adaptive mechanisms to address challenges like the “creamy layer” exclusion and sub-categorization debates.
A Path Forward
The OBC struggle teaches us that systemic change demands persistent advocacy, robust data, political unity, and multi-faceted policies addressing social, educational, and economic disparities. Milestones like reservations and the upcoming caste census mark significant progress, but the uneven benefits and persistent marginalization of smaller OBC communities call for sub-categorization, inclusive alliances, and state-specific strategies. By embracing these lessons, India can move toward a more equitable society where OBCs not only benefit from affirmative action but also contribute meaningfully to national progress.
The OBC struggle teaches us that systemic change demands persistent advocacy, robust data, political unity, and multi-faceted policies addressing social, educational, and economic disparities. Milestones like reservations and the upcoming caste census mark significant progress, but the uneven benefits and persistent marginalization of smaller OBC communities call for sub-categorization, inclusive alliances, and state-specific strategies. By embracing these lessons, India can move toward a more equitable society where OBCs not only benefit from affirmative action but also contribute meaningfully to national progress.
The journey of OBC groups reminds us that the fight for justice is long but transformative. As the nation prepares for its first caste census in decades, the lessons from this struggle will guide the path to a more inclusive future.
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