OBC associations call for protest at Ramlila Maidan demanding drop-down for all castes in 2027 Census

Image used for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: ANI

The All India Caste Census Coordination Committee on Thursday (November 12, 2026) called for a nationwide protest at New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 28, demanding that the Union government reconsider its methodology for caste enumeration in the 2027 Census so that a comprehensive and accurate caste census can be ensured.

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The coalition of various OBC associations across the country and other civil society groups called for the Union government to ensure that a drop-down menu is introduced in the Population Enumeration phase of the ongoing Census and that all castes (SC, ST, OBC, and General) are assigned unique codes.

In finalising the questionnaire for this phase of the 2027 Census, the Centre decided that it will enumerate caste through an open column for everyone apart from SCs and STs. This is the same method used in the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) exercise, which yielded over 46 lakh caste names and the results of which were discarded by this government on account of inaccuracies.

For proportionate representation

On Thursday, calling for the protest in New Delhi, leaders representing various organisations and OBC associations said a drop-down menu that enumerates all castes was necessary “so that accurate social, educational and economic data” can be gathered “for social justice and proportionate representation”.

Activist and political organiser Yogendra Yadav, who represented the Bharat Jodo Abhiyan as national convener, said: “Caste census is essential to understand inequalities and ensure social justice. Every community must be properly counted.” This sentiment was echoed by G. Kiran Kumar, national president of the All India OBC Students Association as well, who added: “Census 2027 is a historic opportunity to ensure social justice. We demand unique codes for all castes, a separate drop-down option for OBCs and the removal of the 50% ceiling on reservations. I appeal to students and OBC youth across the country to participate in the November 28 protest.”

Further, DMK Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson said, “The government must prepare a standardised caste directory and provide unique codes for every OBC community to ensure accurate enumeration.”

Former Telangana government Minister and national convener of the All India OBC People’s Representatives Forum, V. Srinivas Goud said that such a method was essential to ensure OBCs received their due share in education, jobs, and political representation.

Published - November 12, 2026 09:33 pm IST