The Bihar caste survey has revealed that 2,02,91,679 people or 15.52% of the state's total population belong to the general category, commonly known as the 'forward castes'.
Among these, Brahmins have the highest number, accounting for 3.65% of the state's population. Rajputs form the second biggest chunk with 3.45% of the population, while the Bhumihar's make up for 2.87%.
People belonging to the Kayastha caste form 0.60% of the state's population. According to the data, EBCs, OBCs, SCs and STs combinedly account for 84% of the state's population.
According to the Indian Express, the EBCs are the biggest social group comprising 4,70,80,514 individuals or 36.01% of the state’s population. The OBCs number 3,54,63,936 (27.12%), and the Scheduled Castes (SCs) 2,56,89,820 (19.65%).’
Scheduled Tribes (STs) number only 21,99,361 (1.68%), the bulk of the tribal population having become part of Jharkhand after the bifurcation of the state in 2000. The “unreserved” category comprises 2,02,91,679 individuals (15.52%).
Bihar’s population, according to the survey, is 13,07,25,310, compared to the 10.41 crore recorded in the 2011 census.
Also watch: Bihar govt releases caste survey results: OBCs, EBCs comprise 63%