Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Stalin Opposes Open-Ended Caste Format, Seeks TN Resolution
M K Stalin wants caste information in Census 2027 to be recorded accurately.
He disagrees with allowing people to type caste names freely.
He says different spellings and names could make the results confusing.
Stalin wants people to choose from official lists instead.
He asked the Tamil Nadu Assembly to pass a resolution supporting this change.
The Union government has said its OBC list contains classes rather than individual castes.
Stalin says accurate information is needed to plan reservations and development programs.
He warned that the current method could waste public money and government workers’ effort.
M K Stalin criticized the Union government’s proposed open-ended caste-entry format for Census 2027.
He urged the Tamil Nadu Assembly to pass a special resolution during its ongoing session.
Stalin called for standardized Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes lists in the census system.
He warned that manual entries could create discrepancies and falsely suggest 46 lakh distinct castes.
Stalin said the approach could waste nearly Rs 12,000 crore and undermine social-justice policies.
- Who
- DMK president M K Stalin, the Tamil Nadu government and the Union government.
- What
- Stalin urged the Tamil Nadu Assembly to pass a resolution seeking standardized caste categories for Census 2027.
- When
- Sunday, during the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly session and ahead of Census 2027.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu and the wider Indian census process.
- Why
- Stalin said standardized entries are needed to prevent discrepancies and produce accurate data for reservation policies and development schemes.
Stalin’s position
Union government’s stated explanation
How caste names should be recorded
Stalin’s position
Stalin says citizens should select caste names from standardized official lists to prevent inconsistent or chaotic data.
Union government’s stated explanation
The Union government’s explanation, as quoted by Stalin, is that the OBC list comprises classes rather than individual castes.
Purpose of caste data
Stalin’s position
Stalin says accurate caste and socio-economic data is essential for social-justice measures, reservations and development programs.
Union government’s stated explanation
The articles provide no fuller statement of the Union government’s position on this issue beyond its explanation about the OBC list.
- Census involved
- Census 2027
- Requested action
- A special resolution by the Tamil Nadu Assembly
- Proposed change
- Use standardized, predetermined caste lists instead of open-ended manual entries
- Lists requested
- Official Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes lists from state governments
- Potential discrepancy cited
- Open-ended entries could falsely indicate 46 lakh distinct castes across India
- Estimated expenditure at risk
- Nearly Rs 12,000 crore
- Policy purpose
- Inform reservation policies and development schemes for OBC communities
