SOCIAL STUDIES DIVISIONWORKS & ACTIVITIES (DETAILS)
1. CENSUS WORKS:
1.1 Enumeration of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
In Census, the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) population figures alongwith relevant socio-economic and demographic characteristics are being tabulated andpublished since 1951 Census. The SCs and STs figures are mandatory to meet various
constitutional requirements of reservation of seats in Parliament and in State Legislative
Assemblies.
In each decennial Census since 1951, the SC and ST population have been enumerated
strictly as per the lists of SCs and STs notified vide the Constitution (Scheduled Castes)
Order 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950 in pursuant of the Articles
341 and 342 of the Constitution. The lists of SCs and STs, as amended from time to time,
are State /Union Territory specific.
Persons professing Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism only deem to be members Scheduled
Castes as per the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950 and the Constitution(Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Act 1990. There is no religion bar in case of
Scheduled Tribes. There is no SC in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Lakshadweep and A & N
Islands, while no ST in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, and Puducherry.

1.1.1 Compilation of the SCs and STs lists for Census Enumeration
Prior to the 1st phase (i.e., the House Listing Phase of Census) the lists of Scheduled Castes(SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for each State and Union Territory are compiled andupdated considering all amendments enacted in the said lists since the preceding Census. The
updating process, however, continued incorporating all possible amendments made in thelists before the commencement of the Population Enumeration Phase (i.e., 2nd phase) ofCensus. The nodal ministries viz., the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (for SCs)
and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (for STs) are consulted in compiling the updated lists of
SCs and STs for Census enumeration.

1.1.2 Census Schedule for Enumeration of SCs and STs
Question No. 8 of the Household Schedule of Population Enumeration Phase pertains to
Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST). Any person belonging to a SC or a ST
returned her/his caste or tribe as a synonym or generic name, it would be reckoned as SC/ST
only if that name is found in the notified lists of SCs/STs. Any generic reply (e.g., Harijan,
1Girijan or Achhut, Adivasi, etc.) would not be recorded as belonging to the SC/ST straightaway. In such a case, the enumerator has to ascertain the name of the caste/tribe fully and ifthat name is found in the list, then only the person is reckoned as belonging to SC or ST as
the case may be. If a person insisted on calling herself/himself merely as 'Harijan' or 'Achhut'or 'Adivasi' or 'Girijan' or by any other synonym or generic name of a caste or tribe but notappearing in the lists of SCs/STs, he/she must be told that this description is not adequate for
census purposes and he/she should be persuaded to give the actual name of the SC or ST, as
the case may be. If enumerators have reasons to suspect that in any area due to any organized
movement, the SCs or the STs are not being truthfully returned, he/she should record them as
returned by the respondent and make a report to their Supervisory Officer for verification. It
is to be noted that in a household, some of the members may belong to SC or ST while others
may not. Again, there may be situations where members do not belong to the same SC or ST
or some of the family members may be SC and others ST. Therefore, this question is to be
asked to all members of a household. That means the entry made in this question for the headof the household or the respondent may not be simply repeated for other members of thathousehold.

1.1.3 Preparation of Code Directory
A Dynamic Code Directory containing six-digit code for each Scheduled Caste (SC) and
Scheduled Tribe (ST) name (as main entry and sub-entries under the main entry) specific toeach State/UT is prepared to facilitate Computer Assisted Coding for computerized dataprocessing. This six-digit code has two parts, the first 3-digits represent the main caste/tribe
and next 3-digits represent their synonym or sub-group. The sub-castes/ synonyms of a SC
are grouped together with a group code. Similarly, the sub-tribes/synonyms of a ST aregrouped together with a group code. The Dynamic Code Directory is so called because any
new Census return classified into an appropriate SC/ST category is provided with a new
unique code which eventually becomes part of the directory.

1.1.4 Classification of Unclassified SCs/STs Returns
The Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) population are enumerated in Census
strictly as per the notified lists of SCs and STs as applicable at the time of conducting the
Census Operation. And the enumerators are given clear instruction to record only the valid
SC/ST name as per the notified lists. However, despite all such precautions, the Census
enumeration of SCs and STs inadvertently records several un-identified/new SCs and STs
names. Such unclassified returns are encountered due to several reasons e.g., enumerator
driven mistake (e.g., incorrect spelling), data entry operator’s mistake (e.g., incorrect coding),
respondent driven mistake (e.g., respondent compel the enumerator to record a specific
SC/ST name due to prevailing local situation), etc. Often the local alternate name of a caste/
tribe, which may be a genuine sub-caste/ sub-tribe name of a notified SC/ST, is recorded.

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Such unclassified SC/ST returns are appropriately classified to finalize the Census figures of
the SCs and STs.
1.2 Enumeration of Religion
Question No.7 of the Household Schedule of Population Enumeration Phase pertains toReligion. The Religion of each member of a household as returned by the respondent in reply
to the Question No.7 of the Household Schedule is enumerated in Census. Recording of thereligion professed by each member of the Household separately is considered necessary as all
the members in a household may not profess the same religion. The census enumerators areclearly instructed not to presume that the religion of the head of the household or the
respondent is necessarily the religion of every member of that household. For operational
convenience, since 2001 Census, numeric code in the Census Schedule itself is provided to
six numerically major religions viz., Hindu (code-1), Muslim (code-2), Christian (code-3),
Sikh (code-4), Buddhist (code-5), and Jain (code-6). This practice does not confer to any
advantage or privilege to the any of the said religions. In fact, a unique numeric code isprovided to each and every religion name as returned in Census enumeration purely forcomputerized data processing purposes.
While recording the response under this question the census enumerator is to write the nameof the religion and to enter its code in the appropriate box provided for this purpose. While
making entry for any religion other than Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain,
the census enumerators are instructed to record faithfully the actual name of the religion as
returned by the respondents under this question. In such a case no numerical entry is to bemade in the box meant for recording the code number. In case a person says that she/he has
no religion, the census enumerator is instructed to record “No Religion” in such a case. The
enumerators are instructed not to enter into any argument with the household for recording
entry under this question and they are bound to record faithfully whatever religion is returnedby the respondent for herself/himself and for other members in the household.

1.2.1 Classification and Publication of Religion Returns
The enumeration of religion through open-ended response allows the respondents to freely
write the name of their religion/persuasion. This being a practice several new
religion/persuasion/sect/etc. names are returned in each decennial census. In Census 2011 a
total of 3,235 new religions/persuasions/sects/etc. names were returned. The corresponding
number was 2,875 in the preceding Census (i.e., 2001 Census). The examination andclassification of such unclassified returns required to be done immediately for finalizing the
district level data for Primary Census Abstract (PCA) purpose, since the returns of Scheduled
Castes depend on the religion of the respondents. The earlier Census records contain wealthof information on religions/persuasions/sects/etc. These reports and the various available
published literatures are used to classify the religion returns enumerated in Census.

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The religion data of Census are published under eight major heads i.e., (1)Hindu, (2)Muslim,(3)Sikh, (4)Christian, (5)Buddhist, (6)Jain, (7)Other Religions & Persuasions (ORP), and (8)Religion Not Stated. The religious sub-sects/sub-groups/belief system under any of the six
numerically major religions and under the ORP are treated accordingly as per the practices
followed in Census since the earliest time. The classifications under these major heads,
however, do not deprive any religion/persuasion/sect/etc. as returned in Census enumeration.
The details of each and every religion return classified under the major heads are also
published giving the detail breakups in annexure/appendix tables for religion. The details ofeach sub-sects/sub-groups/belief system under any of the six numerically major religions, asmentioned, are tabulated and published separately in Annexure of the Table C-1. While thedetails of the ORP are published in Appendix Tables C-1.
1.3 Finalization of Tables
The total population of both Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) arefinalized by aggregating the population data of individual SCs and STs at the appropriate
administrative level. Data relating to the demographic, socio-economic, and cultural profile
of each SC and ST area wise and sex wise at national, state, and district level are validated
prior to their release. Data of following Tables are validated and finalized in the Social
Studies Division.


A - 8 & 9 Union/State Primary Census Abstract (PCA) for SCs & STs
A-10 & A-11 State PCA for Individual SC & ST
SC - Series: Individual SC-wise Tables (Special Tables)
14 cross-classified tables on Age, sex, marital status,
economy, education, religion & fertility aspects

ST – Series: Individual ST-wise Tables
16 Tables - same as above with two
Additional tables on Mother tongue & Bilingualism

Religion Related Tables

1.4 Delimitation and Recasting of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Data
The Social Studies Division provides the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST)Census figures to the Election Commission for delimitation of constituencies and reservationof seats for the SCs and STs. This involves recasting of the latest Census data forreadjustment of seats for SCs & STs in Constituencies as per the Constitution provision for
delimitation.
Under the provision of Articles 330 and 332 and the Delimitation Act the Election
Commission is empowered to carry out readjustment of reservation of constituencies basedon the changed population of SCs and STs ascertained as on the specific date of the last4Preceding Census. Since for delimitation purpose the population figures of the lastPreceding Census is used, any amendment to the lists of SCs and STs in between thepreceding and the succeeding Censuses requires ascertained figures of SCs and STs for thePreceding Census so as to adjust the population of SCs and STs keeping in view of theamendments to the lists of SCs and STs done in between the preceding and the succeeding
Censuses. The ascertained population of SCs and STs and their proportion to the total
population of the concerned States/UTs are required to be notified in the Gazette of India
Extraordinary by the Census Commissioner of India. The notified figures and ascertained
population of SCs and STs at the State/UT level and corresponding figures at the lowest
administrative level both for rural and urban areas of the said States/UTs are provided to theElection Commission for delimitation of constituencies and reservation of seats for the SCs
and STs purposes.
[* Until 2011 Census the Social Studies Division also involved in finalization of the
Urban Frame, Identification of Census Towns, Urban Agglomeration, and Urban
Outgrowths, District Census Hand-Book, and Village and Town Directories, as
hereunder. From 2021 Census, these activities/works have been transferred to the
Census Division]

1.5 Finalization of Urban Frame*
The Census of India presents demographic data by rural and urban areas. The unit ofclassification/tabulation of data is 'town' for urban areas and 'village' for rural areas. The
Social Studies Division finalizes the lists of statutory and Census Towns on the basis of
inputs from the Directorate of Census Operations of States/UTs after the scrutiny of their
proposals prior to both phases of Census viz., House Listing Phase and Population
Enumeration Phase.

1.5.1 Census Town and Statutory Town
The definition of a town is as follows:(a)

All places which have been notified under law and have local bodies like municipal
corporations, municipalities, municipal committees, municipal boards, municipal
town committees, cantonment boards, notified areas, notified area committees, town
committees, town areas, town boards, town municipalities, sanitary boards, nagar
panchayats, etc., irrespective of their demographic characteristics.

(b)

All other places which satisfied the following criteria:(i)

A minimum population of 5,000 (All villages having a population of 4000 or more at
the Census 2001 were identified).

(ii)

At least 75 per cent of the male main working population engaged in non-agricultural
pursuits (while applying this criterion, the workers engaged in the agriculturalactivities, namely (a) Cultivators, (b) Agricultural Labourers and (c) Plantation,

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Livestock, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting and allied activities were excluded forcomputing the percentage of workers engaged in non-agricultural pursuits).
(iii)

A density of population of at least 400 per sq. km. (villages that satisfied the above
two criteria and had a density of 400 persons per sq. km. were classified as Census
Towns).

The units that fall under category (a) above are designated as “Statutory Towns” and those in
category (b) are designated as “Census Towns”. In Census 2011, a total of 7,933 towns wereidentified. The corresponding number in Census 2001 was 5,161. Out of these, as many as
4,041 were designated as Statutory Towns and 3,892 were designated as Census Towns. The
corresponding numbers in Census 2001 was 3,799 and 1,362 respectively.
1.5.2 Urban Agglomeration
Proposals regarding Urban Agglomerations (UAs) forwarded by the State/UT Directorates ofCensus Operations are scrutinized and finalized in Social Studies division. In 1961 Census
the concept of 'Town Group' was adopted to obtain a broad picture relating to urban spread.
This was refined in 1971 with the concept of Urban Agglomeration to obtain better feedback
in regard to urban contiguity, processes, trends of urbanization and other related matters. This
concept remained operative in 1981, 1991, 2001, and in 2011 Censuses without any change
or modification.
An Urban Agglomeration is a continuous urban spread constituting a town and its adjoining
outgrowths (OGs), or two or more physically contiguous towns together with or without
outgrowths of such towns. In some cases, railway colonies, university campuses, port areas,
military camps, etc. would have come up near a statutory town outside its statutory limits but
within the revenue limits of a village or villages contiguous to the town. Each of these
individual areas may by itself not satisfy the criteria for it to qualify as an independent urban
unit but may qualify to be clubbed with the existing towns as their continuous urban spread(i.e., an Outgrowth). For the purpose of identification of Urban Agglomerations following
criteria are adopted:(a) The core town or at least one of the constituent towns of an urban agglomeration
should necessarily be a statutory town.
(b) The total population of an Urban Agglomeration (i.e., all the constituents put
together) should not be less than 20,000 as per the Preceding Census.
In varying local conditions, there were similar other combinations which have been treated asurban agglomerations satisfying the basic condition of contiguity.
1.5.3 Outgrowth
The Outgrowth is a viable unit such as a village or a hamlet or an enumeration block andclearly identifiable in terms of its boundaries and location. While determining the Outgrowthof a town, it has been ensured that it possesses the urban features in terms of infrastructure
and amenities such as pucca roads, electricity, taps, drainage system for disposal of waste
6water, etc. educational institutions, post offices, medical facilities, banks, etc. and physicallycontiguous with the core town of the Urban Agglomeration.
On the basis of above criteria, in 2011 Census a total of 474 Urban Agglomerations wereidentified against 384 in the preceding Census (i.e., 2001 Census). Similarly, a total of 981
Outgrowths was identified in 2011 Census, against 960 in 2001 Census.

1.6 District Census Hand-book*
The District Census Hand-book (DCHB) is being brought out un-interruptedly by the Census
organization since 1951 Census. The publication, which is brought out for each district,contains several demographic and socio-economic characteristics of each village and town of
the district along with the status of availability of civic amenities, infrastructural facilities,
etc. For this purpose, the non-census data at village and town level are collected in the
Village and Town Directory Schedules. The scope of the DCHBs has got enhanced withevery Census by adding new items for collection of data at village and town level so as tomeasure the development that have taken place in the intervening period as well as to identify
the possible gaps that to be filled through plan schemes by the authorities concerned. The
new items have been added, keeping in view the pace of economic development in the
country. The objective behind this publication is to present data at micro-level, particularly
on village statistics for administrative planning and development purposes at grass-root level.
This publication is widely referred in field based social science research in India, andinvariably always remained the starting point to a researcher to identify the area and the unite
villages for study.
The data of DCHB of 2011 Census have been presented in two parts, Part-A contains theVillage/Town Directory data and Part-B contains the Primary Census Abstract (village/town)
along with data on Households Amenities and Assets (Rural/Urban) at District and SubDistrict level. Both the Parts have been published in separate volumes.

1.7 Village Directory and Town Directory*
The Village Directory (VD) and the Town Directory (TD) data are collected with the help of
the district authorities. The VD data on amenities like electricity, latrines, drinking water,
waste water disposal outlets, telephones/mobiles, etc. are cross checked with the data
published in Housing Tables (Houses, Household Amenities, and Assets) of Census collectedduring the House Listing Operation i.e., the 1st Phase of Census. A total of 48 of new
amenities have been included in the Village Directory of 2011 in addition to those of 2001.
These newly added amenities are:7

Pre-Primary School, Engineering College, Medical College, Management Institute, Polytechnic, Non-formal
Training Centre, Special School for Disabled, Community Health Centre, Veterinary Hospital, Mobile Health
Clinic, Medical Practitioner with MBBS Degree, Medical Practitioner with no degree, Traditional Practitioner
and faith Healer, Medicine Shop, Community Toilet, Rural Sanitary Mart or Sanitary Hardware Outlet in thevillage, Community Bio-gas, Sub Post Office, Village Pin Code, Public Call Office, Mobile Phone Coverage,
Internet Cafes/ Common Service Centre, Private Courier Facility, Auto/Modified Autos, Taxis and Vans,
Tractors, Cycle-pulled Rickshaws, Carts driven by Animals, village connected to National Highway, State
Highway, Major District Road, and Other District Road, Availability of Water Bounded Macadam Roads invillage, ATM, Self-Help Group, Public Distribution System(PDS) Shop, Mandis/Regular Market, Weekly Market(Haat), Agricultural Marketing Society, Nutritional Centres (ICDS), Anganwadi Centre, ASHA (Accredited
Social Health Activist), Sports Field, Public Library, Public Reading Room, Assembly Polling Station, and Birth& Death Registration Office.

The Community Development (CD) Block wise data of Village Directory and Village PCA
have been presented in DCHB of 2011 Census as presented in earlier Censuses. In the Town
Directory, seven statements containing the details and the data of each town have beenpresented viz., (i) Status and Growth History of towns, (ii) Physical Aspects and Location ofTowns, (iii)Civic and Other Amenities, (iv) Medical Facilities, (v) Educational, Recreationaland Cultural Facilities, (vi) Industry and Banking, and (vii) Civic and Other Amenities in
Slums. For the first time the DCHB 2011 Part A containing VD/TD data in excel format ande-Book of Part B containing PCA and data on Household Amenities & Assets for all
States/UTs have been released online at the Census of India website
https://censusindia.gov.in

2. NON-CENSUS WORKS:
2.1 Revision of the lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
The Government of India through the Presidential Notification has notified for the first time
the Lists of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) vide “The Constitution(Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950” under the Constitution provisions ofArticles 341 & 342. The said lists revised time to time by addition or by deletion or by boththrough amendments of the 1950 Order.
2.1.1 Articles 341"341. (1) The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it
is a State, after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification, specify
the castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within castes, races or tribes whichshall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Castes inrelation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be.

8(2) Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Castes
specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any caste, race or tribe or part of orgroup within any caste, race or tribe, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under
the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification.
2.1.2 Articles 342"342. (1) The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it
is a State, after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification, specify
the tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within tribes or tribal
communities which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be
Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be.
(2) Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Tribes
specified in a notification issued under clause(1) any tribe or tribal community or partof or group within any tribe or tribal community but save as aforesaid a notification
issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification".
2.1.3 Modalities
The modalities of 1999 (revised in 2002) approved by Union Cabinet for deciding claims forinclusion in, exclusion from, and other modifications in the Orders specifying the Scheduled
Castes and the Scheduled Tribes lists defined the role of the Office of the Registrar Generalof India (ORGI) and other stake holders on the matter, as under: The proposal to modify the list of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes is made by theconcerned State Govt./Union Territory(UT) Administration to the nodal ministry (theMinistry of Social Justice & Empowerment for SCs and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
for STs).
 The proposal is then referred to the Registrar General of India (RGI) seeking ORGI
comments.
 The proposal once not agreed to by ORGI is referred back to the concerned State
Govt./UT Administration, for seeking further justification on their proposal in thelight of the ORGI comments.
 The proposal, if received back from concerned State Govt./UT Administration withfurther justification, is again referred to the ORGI for consideration.
 If the proposal is not agreed to by the ORGI second time, the Govt. of India may
consider rejection of the proposal.
 The proposal agreed to by the ORGI is referred to the National Commission for
Scheduled Castes (NCSC)/ National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) as thecase may be seeking their comments.
9 If the proposal is not agreed to by the NCSC/NCST, it is rejected with the approval of
Minister, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment/ Minister, Ministry of Tribal
Affairs.
 Such proposals, which have been agreed to by the ORGI and the NCSC or NCST areprocessed further by the nodal ministries as a Bill for consideration and enactment by
the Parliament as required under Article 341 (2) and Article 342 (2) of theConstitution of India. After the Bill is enacted by both the Houses of Parliament,
assent of the President is obtained, and the amendments are notified.

2.1.4 Criteria
The Constitution Articles 341 and 342 remain silent about the criteria for enlisting
communities as SCs and STs. However, Article 341 give clear direction that castes, races ortribes or parts of or groups within castes, races or tribes can be enlisted as SCs, whereas as
per the Article 342 only the tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within tribes ortribal communities can be STs. Thus, the broad parameters for identification of SCs and STs
are very clear in the said Constitution Articles.
Working definitions of caste, race, and tribe are familiar in Anthropological and Sociologicalliteratures. Nevertheless, technical/measurable tests to identify communities as SCs or STs
remained rather open-ended.
The Advisory Committee constituted in 1965 under the Chairmanship of Sri B. N. Lokur forrevision of the lists of SCs and STs recommended criteria for deciding claims of any caste forscheduling as SC as: ''Extreme social, educational and economic backwardness of Castes
arising out of the traditional custom of untouchability''.
The first serious attempt to enlist communities as "primitive tribes" was made in 1931
Census. Subsequently, under the Government of India Act 1935, a list of "backward tribes"
was specified. The list of STs under Constitution Article 342 is notified in 1950 Order. This
list of STs by and large is a revised form of the list of backward tribes earlier notified under
the Government of India Act 1935. In 1931 Census it was "primitive tribes" while in 1935
Order it was "backward tribes". Both, the primitiveness and backwardness were the tests
applied in preparing the list of STs in 1950 Order under Constitution Article 342. In revising
the list of STs, the Advisory Committee recommended a set of five criteria [e.g., (1)Primitive
traits, (2)Distinctive culture, (3)Geographical isolation, (4)Shyness of contact with thecommunity at large, and (5)Backwardness] for identification of a community as Scheduled
Tribe. The Committee also considered that tribes whose members have by and large mixed
up with the general population are not eligible to be in the list of STs.

2.1.5 Examination of Proposals
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The proposals of a State Govt. / UT Administration on the matter of the revision of the listsof SCs/STs duly forwarded by the concerned nodal ministry i.e., the Ministry of Social
Justice & Empowerment (for SCs) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (for STs) is examinedby the Office of the Registrar General of India as per the modalities. Such proposals are
examined meticulously based on the information furnished by the State/UT Govt. and theinformation available in various Census Reports and in other published sources of standard.
The Office of the Registrar General of India library is well equipped with relevant materials
and information for examining such proposals. Census Reports of earlier decades contain averitable mine of ethnographic/ethnological details on castes, communities, and tribes. The
old ethnographic information is used to identify the ethnic status of a community. Standard
published literatures are also referred to assess whether the proposed community possess therequisite characteristics of a tribe/caste. The old literatures are considered relevant toestablish the historical practice of Untouchability or historical antecedent of a community astribe, whereas for assessment the current social, economic, educational status, recent
literatures including Census publications and the information furnished by the State Govt./UT
Administration are referred.

2.2 Inter-Census Social Studies Projects
Since its inception in 1961 the Social Studies Division has undertaken several studies ofsocio-economic, cultural, and administrative relevance. Worth mentioning among them are
the socio-economic survey of villages, the special studies on selected towns, the scheduled
survey of handicrafts, fairs & festivals, specific studies on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes, etc.

3. PROJECTS, STUDIES & PUBLICATIONS:
3.1 Village Studies
1961-1971 Censuses
During the inter-census period (1963-68) about five hundred villages all over India weretaken up for a comprehensive socio-economic survey. The villages were selected on such a
way so as to cover adequately the geographical, occupational, and ethnic diversity of India.
Some villages were of medium size with multi-ethnic population and having variegatedoccupations though primarily dependent on agriculture, while others had one dominantcommunity with one predominant occupation, like fishing, pottery, etc. or were primarily
inhabited by a Scheduled Tribe community. The village studies provide a diachronic
perspective (i.e., change extending through time) to similar studies undertaken by others. A
few of the villages were studied earlier, thus giving a scope to examine changes over time.
These Reports provide an excellent source of materials as 'benchmark' data for undertaking
diachronic studies either in their totality or in regard to in-depth analysis of one of the many
aspects covered in these studies. A total 331 Monographs on village studies were published.

111971-1981 Censuses
During 1971-1981 inter-census period, attempts were made to re-study some of the villages
that were studied earlier with a view to have an insight in the changing scenario of ruralsocieties in India under influence of planned development programs of the Government aswell as rapid industrialization, urbanization. and modernization processes. The villages
selected for re-studies were primarily on the basis of their location in relation to the nearby
effective urban center. Besides, a few villages situated in specific area viz., Rural
Development Plan Area were selected as inter-census village re-studies. A total of 77 villages
were re-studied in 1970’s and an equal number in 1980’s. A total of 68 Village Re-study
Reports/ Monographs were published.

3.2 Socio-Demographic Study/Re-Study of Villages
India is characterized by its village communities. Despite rapid industrialization andurbanization processes, the basic socio-economic structure of India’s village life, particularly
in remote countryside has remained unaffected. To have a 'feel' of Indian social matrix it isessential to 'know' about the village India. With this focus in view, it was decided to take up asocio-economic survey of villages situated in a varied socio-cultural setting as ancillary to1961 Census. To this pursuit about 400 Village Study Reports/ Monographs were published.
During the inter-census period of 1971-1981, the focus of social studies was further enhanced
by undertaking town studies and handicraft studies besides re-study of villages.
3.3 Town Studies
1971-1981 Censuses
Till 1971 Census the anthropological/sociological studies carried out by the Census
Organization were mostly confined to backward groups and rural societies. An ancillary to1971 Census, for the first time the Census of India attempted Urban Studies of small andmedium towns. It was realized that the findings of the socio-economic surveys of villages
undertaken in 1960’s had somewhat limited relevance unless these are supplemented byurban studies to have an idea of not only the close linkage and network of relations between
the rural and urban areas but also to understand the socio-economic processes generated byurbanization on the rural neighborhood. These somewhat detailed studies of small andmedium towns distributed all over the country were in addition to Directories of Towns
published. In all, 26 Towns Reports were published during 1971-1981 and about 50 during
the 1981-1991 Censuses.
3.4 Ethnographic Studies
1961-1971 Censuses

12Ethnographic studies were resumed in 1960’s after a gap of three decades. These wereprimarily focused on the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, andwere undertaken to study socio-economic changes of these communities to meet various
requirements of planned development programs. The ethnographic monographs brought out
by the Census Organization from 1961 onwards documented detail ethnographic profiling of
the studied communities. In view of the Constitutional benefits accruing to the members of
SCs and STs, a number of claims are staked identifying a group with one or the other SC/ST
community on the ground of synonymous name or segment. The caste indices of 1891 and1901 Censuses and the detailed particulars available on castes and tribes in previous census
reports have been extremely useful in verifying such claims. It is for this reason that themonographs brought out by the Census organization lay stress on social structure in relation
to segments and synonyms of a community.
These ethnographic studies attempted at two levels i.e., State level and National level studies.
The National series monographs are somewhat more detailed studies of individual SC and ST
communities, while the State series monographs brought out by the Census Directorates
generally include shorter ethnographic notes on a number of SC and ST communities. The
monographs on SCs lay stress on such issues as their present social status, the extent to whichthese castes suffer from social disabilities, the changes coming in this regard as a result ofsocial legislation, and changes in values due to social mobility, education, and similar factors.
A total of 98 Ethnographic Notes on SC communities and 94 on ST communities were
published.

1971-1981 Censuses
Field investigations on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in various
States/UTs continued. A total of 24 Ethnographic Notes on SCs and 7 on STs were published.
1981-1991 Censuses
Fresh ethnographic studies were not taken up but a few reports on which field investigations
were done during 1971-1981 Censuses were published.
3.5 Handicraft Survey
1961-1971 Censuses
The craft survey intended to obtain a picture of the artisan himself as of his craft, the extent towhich tradition-bound the craftsman and the manner in which he adjusted himself to thechanged conditions, such as competition posed by modern technology and money economy.
In the light of the social structure of the rural societies, the ramifications of the various
processes were to be understood in terms of dependence on socially preordained clientele andtheir regulation under seemingly unalterable laws of social customs. At the same time, there
was the full realization of the fact that the social structure of the rural societies wasundergoing change. The change in the Jajmani (patron-client) relationship and the social
stratification assumed to have direct impact on the traditional crafts. An understanding of this13

problem was a pre-requisite for revival of the dying crafts. The impact of education andconsequent occupational mobility resulting in giving up of traditional crafts was also an
aspect that merited consideration.
It was realized that the traditional craft could not be revived or strengthened unless they were
geared to the needs of modern times and technology and also adjusted to social and culturalchanges. The organizations like the All India Handicrafts Board and the Handloom Board
also gave attention to the handicrafts industry. They provided the necessary institutional
support for the promotion of sales, particularly of export-oriented crafts and consequentdevelopment of skills of the craftsmen, improvement of designs and supply of raw materials,
etc. The craft surveys were undertaken by the Census Organization also went into theseissues in some detail but as mentioned earlier, they mainly sought to examine the close nexus
between artisan and craft and thereby considered the social and ethnic perspective in relation
to the ancientness of the craft and associated legends.
The craft surveys were carried out with twin objectives. First, these surveys were designed toprovide essential statistics for planning and development of the traditional crafts andhouseholds industry. Second, to study the craftsmen in relation to their social setting andinter-relationships that bound the artisan castes with agricultural and other consumer castes
within the broad network of sanctified relations. The primary aim of this study was to obtain
the picture of the artisan himself as of his craft, the extent to which the prevalent tradition
bounds the craftsmen and the manner in which they adjusted to the changed conditions, suchas competition posed by modern technology and money economy. In all about 150 reports on
different crafts were published.
1981-1991 Censuses
Further, several rural-based crafts reports (which were discontinued during 1971 Census)
were taken up as inter-census studies during 1981-1991 Censuses. In all, 45 Handicrafts
Studies were taken up for study. Out of which 31 Handicrafts Reports were published.
3.6 Studies on Fairs and Festivals
During 1961-1971, State volume was brought out covering all the important fairs andfestivals of the concerned State. For some States having rich and unique culture of fairs andfestivals, such as Andhra Pradesh, district wise volumes on fairs and festivals were published.
Besides, in-depth studies on some culturally and historically significant festivals like Ugadi(also Samvatsarādi is the New Year Day according to the Hindu Calendar celebrated inSouthern States) in South and Moharram in Delhi and Lucknow were published. In all, about
50 volumes Reports/Monographs on India’s fairs and festivals were published.

3.7 Town Directory
During the inter-census period of 1971-1991, the State Town Directory and the All India
Town Directory were published. These publications provide all the relevant information of
towns and cities in India primarily based on 1971, 1981, and 1991 Census data.

143.8 Glossary Notes on Scheduled Castes
The Social Studies Division compiled A Glossary Notes on Scheduled Caste (SC)communities. For this, primary data were collected from field with especial focus to ethnic
identity, social organization, and social status of the SC communities. The field data werecollected using a set of Schedules from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa,
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
3.9 Bibliography on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Selected Marginal
Communities
An exhaustive Bibliography on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) has been
published in three volumes. This publication has help in cataloguing the innumerable
literatures available on the topic that proved to be of great use to the planners, administratorsand researchers interested on SCs and STs subject. The first volume (A-K Series) was
published in 1970, while the second volume (L-Z Series) was brought out in 1972. The
supplementary volume covering references up to 1980 with a separate section on references
dealing with SCs and STs was published in 1982.
3.10 Miscellaneous Studies
Studies conducted during inter-census period of 1961-1971 include studies on Folklores,
Temples of Madras State, Family Planning Attitudes in Madras City, etc. The 1971-1981
studies include study of Music of Kinnaur (under the project ethno-musicology), Muharramin Hyderabad City, Modernization & Elites in Arunachal Pradesh, etc.
3.11 Plan Schemes (under Five-Year Plan)
A study on “Distribution of Infrastructural Facilities in Different Regions and the Levels andTrends of Urbanization” under Sixth and Seventh Five-Year Plan was taken up. The projectcontinued through the Eight Five-Year Plan. The basic objective was to study in a time series
the pattern of spatial distribution of amenities, like educational institutions, medical facilities,
drinking water supply, approach reads, post & telegraph, the supply of electricity, etc. in rural
areas of different States and Union Territories.
The objective was to provide inputs in determining the size of investment for providing
institutional and basic infrastructural facilities especially in rural areas. Side by side, it wasalso envisaged to study various aspects of urbanization at different levels. Such a study
expected to provide useful data for urban development planning. The study report presented atime series data for rural and urban areas for successive census years keeping the 1971 census
data as the benchmark in a longitudinal perspective in regard to the distribution of
infrastructural facilities in rural areas and levels and trends of urbanization.
The scheme, as was approved by the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) under the
Sixth Five-Year Plan. This was necessary as the targets set by the Planning Commission in
15

respect of availability of amenities mostly covered under the “Minimum Needs Program”
were supposed to be achieved in a phased manner. As in the case of the rural areas, the dataon levels and trends of urbanization and suburban sprawl were required to be examined on
the basis of time series data from 1971-81 onwards.
Tenth Five-Year Plan
Under the Tenth Five-Year Plan a proposal was made to undertake analysis of data on
infrastructural facilities available in large size villages. The study was one of the componentsof Plan Scheme "Study Rural-Urban Infrastructural Facilities in Different Regions and Levels
and Trends of Urbanization" under the Major Plan Head "Techno-Socio Demographic Study
based on Census Data". The Large size villages were selected for the survey on theavailability of various infrastructural facilities and other amenities because of theirimportance of having potential of growing into urban areas. It is expected that the provisionof basic facilities, other amenities and services will bridge the gap between rural and urban
disparity and improve the quality of life. Such an exercise is expected to help both thePlanners and the Administrators. The Study also enables to find out the pattern of spatial
distribution of amenities and services to identify any disparity and imbalances in terms of
their distribution in large size village of different States and UTs.
The villages having a population of 5,000 and above were identified as Large Size villages inlarger States and Union Territories. Whereas in twelve smaller States and UTs viz., Goa,
Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Daman & Diu, Dadra& Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, Puducherry and A & N Islands, where the minimum
population limit for a village to be selected for this study were 2,000 persons.
It was decided to undertake the survey with the help of field staff of Department of Posts,
Govt. of India. The Department of Posts also agreed to provide the services of Branch Post
Master (BPM), the officials of village level Post Offices along with the supervision ofDistrict Superintendent of Posts at the district level for data collection in each village. The
Village Schedules along with Instruction Manual prepared in the Social Studies Divisionwere supplied to all the Census Directorates. It was considered appropriate to undertake thefield survey in a phased manner so that the officers of the Census Directorates could
supervise the fieldwork and at the same time quality of data provided in filled-in Schedule
could be checked.
A total number of 19,349 Large Size villages out of 593,616 total inhabited villages in India
as per 2001 Census were surveyed. The data were analyzed (not published).
3.12 Reports and Publications (under Plan Schemes)(1) Study on Distribution of Infrastructural Facilities in Different Regions and levels andTrends of Urbanization, Occasional Paper-I, 1986. [This report presents analysis of datacollected during 1971 Census on distribution of infrastructural facilities in different regions
reflecting urbanization process. The report provides a detailed account of the phenomenon ofurban growth in India. The progress of urbanization in India since 1901 (with analysis ofregional and sub-regional disparities), factors associated with urban population growth during

16

1951-81, emerging trends of sub-urbanization and on certain aspects of housing conditions inlarge urban centers and dispersal of key infrastructural facilities in small towns.](2) Negative Aspects of Urbanization – A study on the Civic and other Amenities available
in notified Slums of Class I and II Towns, Paper III, 1988. [This report is based on data of
1981 census](3) Availability of Infrastructural Facilities in Rural Area of State and Union Territories(1971-81), A Report. [This report provides a detailed analysis of data on infrastructuraldevelopment at district, state and zonal level during the decades 1971-1981](4) Emerging Trends of Sub-urbanization and Urban Sprawl, A report. [This report basedon 1981 census data on Standard Urban Areas](5) Dispersal of Infrastructural Facilities in Small Towns, A Report. [This report provides
information on whether infrastructural growth has kept pace with the temporal and spatial
growth especially in small towns highlighting the role of small towns in regional
development]
3.13 Census Data on Household Size and Structure
1981 Census
Following 1981 Census, a maiden attempt was made to study the household size andstructure (kinship/ relationship-based structure) in different States/UTs of India based on
1981 Census. The objective was to find out any correlation of household types with kinshipnorms, demographic features, and socio-economic conditions. This exercise resulted in the
publication of The Household Structure in India, Occasional Paper No.1, 1991.

2001 Census
After the maiden attempt of classification, tabulation and analysis of 1981 Census data on
household size and kinship structure/type of households, the 2001 Census data have beenclassified and tabulated. Importance of the household data by composition and size cannot be
overemphasized in the face of rapid social and economic transformation of the world. The
2001 Census data of households by composition and size were analyzed in the Social Studies
Division. The definition of household types are further elaborated while keeping conformity
with the 1981 definitions. The details of the household sub-types making into each of thehousehold types are systematically categorized and defined by elemental components. Thishas helped in easy and error-free coding and classification of the Census data. The household
data of 2001 Census is published in the form of a brief publication: Table: HH-4: Household
Composition and Size, Census 2001.
4. RESOURCES:
4.1 The Census of India Publications (Old and Current)
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Available in the Office of the Registrar General of India’s Library at Seba Bhawan,
Ramakrishna Puram, Sector – 1, New Delhi – 110066.
The current publications
https://censusindia.gov.inareavailable

onlineat

CensusofIndia

website

4.2 Online Resources
Census Tables (2011 Census) on subjects of Social Studies Division
1. For DCHB of all States
https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB.html
2. For Religion/ORP/Sect(a) https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/Religion_PCA.html(b) https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/population_enumeration.html in thetable C-01 Annexure : Details of Sects/Religions Clubbed Under Specific
Religious Community- 2011 (India & States/UTs)(c) C-01 Appendix : Details of Religious Community Shown Under 'Other
Religions And Persuasions' In Main Table C-1- 2011 (India & States/UTs)
3. For individual SC/ST(a) https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/SC.html(b) https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/ST.html

4. For Total SC/ST:
https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/population_enumeration.html in the tables(a) Primary Census Abstract Data for Scheduled Castes (SC) (India &States/UTs - District Level) (Excel Format)(b) Primary Census Abstract Data for Scheduled Castes (SC) (District/SubDistt/Town Level)(c) Primary Census Abstract Data for Scheduled Tribes (ST) (India &States/UTs - District Level) (Excel Format)(d) Primary Census Abstract Data for Scheduled Tribes (ST) (District/SubDistt/Town Level)
5. For Scheduled Caste population by Religious community.
https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/SC14.html
6. For Scheduled Tribe population by Religious community
https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14.html

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7. Marital Status for SC/ST for all States/UTs
https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-series/c-2.html

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