UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — CASTE BASED CENSUS
Q1. The last Census in which the caste of the entire population (beyond Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) was comprehensively enumerated and tabulated was conducted under which Census Commissioner of India?
- A. J.H. Hutton
- B. Herbert Hope Risley
- C. Edward Albert Gait
- D. W.C. Plowden
Q2. With reference to the history of caste enumeration in the Census of India, consider the following statements:
1. The 1881 Census was the first synchronous Census of India.
2. The 1941 Census collected caste information but did not fully publish it.
3. From the 1951 Census onwards, only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were enumerated by caste.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The 1881 Census was the first synchronous Census of India.
- The 1941 Census collected caste information but did not fully publish it.
- From the 1951 Census onwards, only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were enumerated by caste.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. As decided by the Government, Census 2027 (with caste enumeration forming part of its later stage) will be conducted in how many phases?
Q4. The 2025 Gazette notification declaring the Union Government's intent to conduct Census 2027 was issued through which authority?
- A. Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India
- B. National Statistical Office
- C. NITI Aayog
- D. National Sample Survey Office
Q5. With reference to the conduct of the Census in India, consider the following statements:
1. The nodal ministry for the conduct of the Census is the Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. The Census is operationally conducted by the National Statistical Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
3. The Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The nodal ministry for the conduct of the Census is the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The Census is operationally conducted by the National Statistical Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- The Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q6. Which single Union ministry is the nodal ministry for the conduct of the decennial Census in India?
- A. Ministry of Home Affairs
- B. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
- C. Ministry of Rural Development
- D. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Q7. The expert group constituted to classify and validate the caste data collected under the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 was headed by whom?
- A. Arvind Panagariya
- B. Bibek Debroy
- C. Rajiv Kumar
- D. N.K. Singh
Q8. The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 was carried out in rural areas under the primary administrative charge of which Union ministry?
- A. Ministry of Rural Development
- B. Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
- C. Ministry of Home Affairs
- D. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Q9. The Phase-I House-listing and Housing Census (HLO) of Census 2027 is scheduled within a window spanning how many months?
Q10. Under the design of Census 2027, the enumeration of caste has been assigned to which of its two field operations?
- A. Population Enumeration (Phase II)
- B. House-listing and Housing Census (Phase I)
- C. A stand-alone third operation conducted after Phase II
- D. Both phases, equally
Q11. Which constitutional body, functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is mandated to safeguard the interests of socially and educationally backward classes and to advise on their inclusion in the Central List?
- A. National Commission for Backward Classes
- B. National Commission for Scheduled Castes
- C. National Human Rights Commission
- D. National Commission for Minorities