India’s caste distribution is not officially updated through a recent census, but widely accepted estimates provide a general percentage breakdown of major social categories.
Approximate caste-wise percentage in India:
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 40-50%
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 16-17%
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 8-9%
- General Category (Forward Castes): 15-25%
Important points to understand:
- These are estimates, not exact figures
- Based on sources like:
- NSSO surveys
- State data
- Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC)
- India has thousands of castes and sub-castes, so precise classification is complex
Why percentages vary:
- Different states have different caste compositions
- Lack of recent nationwide caste census
- Variations in survey methodologies
Key Takeaway:
India’s caste distribution is best understood through broad estimated percentages, with OBCs forming the largest share, followed by SC, ST, and General categories.