In a significant revelation, the Bihar state government recently released the findings of a comprehensive

Bihar Caste Census Report 2023, shedding light on the state’s demographic composition. The Bihar Caste
survey, which provides a deep insight into Bihar’s population distribution, highlights the prominent
presence of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), who together
constitute over 63% of the state’s population. This revelation challenges the conventional perception of
caste dynamics in Bihar, where the “forward” castes represent a much smaller percentage of the
population.

Bihar Caste Census 2023 Released

On October 2, 2023, the Bihar government unveiled the Population Report based on the Caste Census of
Bihar, fulfilling a request from the Nitish Kumar Government. This comprehensive Bihar Caste Census
2023 dataset provides insights into the demographic composition of the state, revealing that Bihar’s
population exceeds a staggering 13 Crore individuals.

Bihar Caste-based census Report was unveiled on October 2, 2023, the Extremely Backward Classes
(EBCs) make up 36.01 per cent of Bihar’s vast population, which stands at 13.07 crore. When combined
with the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), these two categories together constitute a significant 63% of
Bihar’s total population. Check here all about the Caste System in India in detail.

Bihar Caste Wise Census Report 2023 Data

You can check out the Bihar Caste wise census report in percentage wise in below table:-

Backward Classes

Yadav 14.26%

Khushwaha 4.21%

Kurmi 2.87%

Bania 2.31%

Extremely Backward Classes

Kevart 0.2%

Kevat 0.71%

Mallah 2.6%
Teli 2.81%

Nai 1.59%

Dhanuk 2.13%

Gangota 0.4%

Chandravanshi (Kahar) 1.64%

Nonia 1.91%

Prajapati (Kumhar) 1.40%

Badhai 1.45%

Bind 0.98%

Scheduled Castes

Chamar/ Mochi/ Ravidas/ Charmkar 5.25%

Dusadh/ Dhari/ Darahi 5.31%

Mushahar 3.08%

Pasi 0.98%

Mehtar 0.19%

Unreserved

Brahmin 3.65%

Rajput 3.45%

Bhumihar 2.87%

Kayastha 0.60%

The percentages given here are with respect to the total population of Bihar.

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Bihar Caste Census Report 2023 PDF

You can get the Bihar Caste census report pdf for the caste wise which is released by the Bihar
government official. You can download the PDF for below table:-

Bihar Caste Census Report 2023 PDF

Bihar Caste Census 2023 Caste-Based Data

Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs): 36% of the population.

Other Backward Classes (OBCs):13% of the population, with Yadavs being the largest sub-group at
14.27%.

Dalits (Scheduled Castes):65% of the population.

Scheduled Tribes (STs): Approximately 1.68% of the population.

Unreserved (Upper Castes): 52% of the total population.

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Bihar Caste Census 2023 Religion-Based Data

Hindus: 99% of the total population.

Muslims: 70% of the population.

Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and Others: Together, they make up less than 1% of the population.

Bihar Caste Census Report 2023 Details

OBCs and EBCs

According to the survey, Bihar’s current population stands at a staggering 13,07,25,310, showcasing the
immense diversity within the state. OBCs, accounting for 27% of the population, number 3,54,63,936,
while EBCs, with a 36% share, constitute a significant chunk of 4,70,80,514 individuals. These figures
underline the substantial presence and influence of these communities in Bihar’s social and political
landscape.

Forward Castes

In stark contrast, the so-called “forward” castes, often referred to as the “General” category, make up
only 15.5% of the state’s population, as per the survey data. This revelation challenges the historical
dominance of these castes in various spheres of life in Bihar and highlights the changing dynamics of
caste-based politics and representation.

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

The survey data also shed light on the presence of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in
Bihar. SCs account for about 20% of the population, comprising approximately 2.6 crore individuals. In
contrast, STs constitute just 1.6% of the population, with approximately 22 lakh people falling under this
category. While these numbers may seem relatively smaller compared to OBCs and EBCs, they play a
crucial role in the state’s social fabric and demand special attention for their upliftment and
empowerment.

A Closer Look at Sub-Castes

The survey data, while not exhaustive, provides a glimpse into the percentage-wise breakup of some
prominent sub-castes in Bihar. This information allows for a more nuanced understanding of the state’s
caste dynamics. It is essential to recognize that Bihar is home to a myriad of sub-castes, each with its
unique social and cultural identity, and this survey offers a starting point for exploring this diversity.

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Bihar Caste Census Report 2023 Caste Composition

One of the most striking revelations from the survey is the percentage of the population belonging to
Other Backward Classes (OBCs), which stands at 27%. This figure has long been associated with the
quantum of reservation these castes receive in government jobs and educational institutions. However,
the Mandal Commission, in its 1980 report, estimated the OBC population at a much higher 52%. This
stark difference has fueled discussions around the efficacy of reservation policies and the need for more
equitable representation.

Political Significance of Bihar Caste Census Report 2023

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has strategically woven the caste survey into his political narrative since
2022. He is expected to leverage the survey data to champion the causes of “social justice” and
“development with justice.” This move positions Nitish Kumar as a proponent of Mandal politics, drawing
parallels to the Mandal report’s implementation in 1990 (Mandal 1.0) and his emphasis on
developmental politics during his first full term as Chief Minister in 2005 (Mandal 2.0).

In the forthcoming political landscape, where issues like the Uniform Civil Code and the inauguration of
the Ram Temple in Ayodhya are expected to play a significant role in the BJP’s Lok Sabha campaign,
Nitish Kumar is likely to use the survey data to rally for a more inclusive and just society. This move is
seen as Nitish’s Mandal 3.0 against the BJP’s Hindutva or ‘kamandal’ politics, according to a senior JD(U)
leader.

Important Facts of Bihar Caste Census 2023 for UPSC

The Bihar Caste Census Report of 2023 has highlighted the significant presence of Other Backward
Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) in the state, challenging conventional caste
dynamics. To move forward, Bihar must reassess reservation policies, prioritize equitable representation,
empower marginalized groups, address sub-caste diversity, promote education and awareness,
encourage political dialogue for social jus... Read more at: https://www.studyiq.com/articles/bihar-caste-
census-report/