Bihar caste survey: What data says about Dalits and tribals?

The Bihar caste survey has shown that the people belonging to the Scheduled Castes, commonly known as Dalits make up for 19.65% of the state population. The tribals or the members of the Scheduled Tribes account for 1.68%.

Considered the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups, the groups jointly comprise 21.33% of the population.

Among the Dalits, Dusadhs account for 5.31%, while Chamars or Mochis form 5.25% of the state's population.

In central government jobs or centre-funded educational institutions, 17% of seats are reserved for SCs, while 7.5% for STs.

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%