The Supreme Court says the issue concerns a policy decision and allows the petitioner to approach the Registrar General and Census Commissioner with a representation.
NEW DELHI, (Economy India): The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a petition seeking the introduction of a pre-loaded drop-down menu for Other Backward Classes (OBC) castes in the digital enumeration tools for Census 2027.
The plea sought a system in which respondents could select their caste from a pre-loaded list rather than enter the information manually during the digital enumeration process.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana said the matter concerned a policy decision.
The court disposed of the petition while granting the petitioner liberty to approach the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, allowing a copy of the petition to be sent to the authorities as a representation.
Plea Sought Pre-Loaded Caste Options in Digital Census
The petition focused on how caste information would be entered into the digital tools used for Census 2027.
It sought a drop-down menu containing pre-loaded OBC caste options, arguing for a selection-based mechanism instead of requiring individuals to type their caste details manually.
Such a system would make the available options part of the digital enumeration interface. However, the supplied report does not provide further details about the proposed list, the petitioner’s specific arguments or the technical framework sought.
Supreme Court Says Matter Concerns Policy
The bench declined to entertain the plea, observing that the issue fell within the domain of policy.
Rather than issuing the requested direction, the court disposed of the petition and permitted the petitioner to submit the matter to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner.
The bench said a copy of the petition could be sent to the authorities as a representation.
The order therefore provides an administrative route for the petitioner to raise the issue with the relevant census authorities. The supplied report does not indicate that the court directed the government to introduce a drop-down menu.
Census 2027 and Digital Enumeration
The petition brings attention to the design of digital systems used to collect information during the census, particularly where respondents are required to provide caste-related details.
The choice between manual entry and pre-loaded options can affect how information is entered into a digital form. A pre-loaded menu offers defined choices, while manual entry allows respondents to type their information directly.
The specific arrangements for recording OBC caste details in Census 2027 were not outlined in the supplied report.
Petitioner Can Approach Census Authorities
Following the Supreme Court’s order, the petitioner may approach the Registrar General and Census Commissioner with the request.
The authorities will be the point of contact for the representation permitted by the court. The supplied report does not state whether such a representation has already been submitted or whether the authorities will adopt the proposed mechanism.
The development leaves the question of a pre-loaded OBC caste drop-down menu to be taken up through the administrative channel identified by the bench.
(Economy India)
