The Bihar government on Monday unveiled the caste census report months ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The survey was carried out by the state government in two phases – between January 7 and 21 in the first phase and between April 15 and the first week of August.

The survey report revealed that 63 per cent of Other Backward Castes (OBCs) constituted the state’s total population of 13 crore.

The caste-based survey, also known as the Bihar Jaati Adharit Ganana, was initiated by the Nitish Kumar-led government.

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Here is a caste-wise breakup according to the survey report:

  • The detailed breakdown reveals that the backward class constitute 27 per cent of the population, while the extremely backward class make up 36 per cent. Scheduled Castes (SCs) account for slightly more than 19 per cent and Scheduled Tribes (STs) account for 1.68 per cent. The general category forms 15.52 per cent of Bihar’s population.
  • Yadavs — the community which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs to — is the largest sub-group and forms 14 per cent of the state’s total population, followed by Brahmins 3.66 per cent, Musahars 3 per cent, Kurmis 2.87 per cent and Bhumihars 2.86 per cent.
  • There are a total of 203 notified castes in Bihar mentioned in the report. Out of these, four Hindu castes (Rajput, Kayastha, Brahmin and Bhumihar) and three Muslim castes (Sheikh, Pathan and Syed) have been notified as unreserved or general categories.

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  • There are 196 castes mentioned in the reserved category. These castes are divided into extremely backward class (112 castes), backward class (30), scheduled castes (22) and scheduled tribes (32).
  • Ten castes have been reported by the DMs as not notified either in Centre or state caste list. They are Bengali Kayastha, Khatri, Dharaami, Sutihar, Navesood, Bhumij, Marwari, Bahelia, Rastogi and Darzi.
  • According to the report, the Kewani caste has been reported by the State Commission for Backward classes, but has not been notified either in Centre or state caste list, but is at survey stage now.

Also Read: Bihar caste census 2023 report: 63% Other Backward Classes, 16% population in General category