Schedule Castes in India

As per Census- 2011, the number of scheduled castes in India is 20, 13, and 78,086. It is 16.6% of the total population of India.  As per Census- 2001; it was 16.2% of the total population of India. A total of 15, 38, 50,562 people belonging to the scheduled castes reside in rural areas whereas 4, 75, 27,524 people in urban areas. The scheduled castes are 18.5% of the total population of rural areas and 12.6% of urban areas. It is to be noted that during 2001-2011 the decadal growth rate of the population of India was 17.64%. During this period decadal growth rate of the scheduled castes was 20.8%. The decadal growth rate of the scheduled castes in rural areas was less (15.7%) whereas it was more (41.3%) in urban areas because of their migration from villages to towns and cities.

• States having maximum ratio of scheduled castes, as per Census- 2011 (in descending order) - Punjab (31.9%) > Himachal Pradesh (25.2%) > West Bengal (23.5%) >Uttar Pradesh (20.7%) > Haryana (20.2%)

• States and Union territories having minimum ratio of Scheduled Castes, as per Census-2011 (in ascending order) - Mizoram (0.1%) < Meghalaya (0.6%) < Goa (1.7%) < Dadra and Nagar Haveli (1.8%) < Daman and Diu (2.5%)

[Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep Islands have no population of Scheduled Castes.]

Among union territories, Delhi has the maximum number (28.19 lakh) of Scheduled Castes.

Sex Ratio in Scheduled Castes

As per Census 2011, the sex ratio in India is 943 whereas it is 945 in scheduled Castes. The sex ratio of children (0-6 age group) in India is 919 whereas it is 933 in scheduled castes. The sex ratio in scheduled castes is in favour of females in Kerala (1057), Puducherry (1056), Goa (1015), Arunachal Pradesh (1008) and Tamil Nadu (1004). Mizoram is the only state where the sex ratio in scheduled castes is not only lowest (509) in the country but deplorable also.

Literacy in Scheduled Castes

As per Census 2011, the rate of literacy in India is 72.99% whereas that of it in scheduled castes is 66.1 %. State wise, the rate of literacy in scheduled castes is highest in Mizoram (92.4%) and lowest in Bihar (48.6%). Among union territories, the highest rate of literacy in scheduled castes is in Daman and Diu (92.6%).  According to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders  (Amendment) Act, 1990 Scheduled Castes can only belong to Hindu, Sikh  or Buddhist religions.[1] [The Scheduled tribes may belong to any religion.]