SOCIAL STUDIES DIVISION






Introduction
Census of India has engaged in studies of India’s castes, communities, and tribes since its very inception, and emerged to be one of the pioneer organization in the field of anthropological, ethnological, and sociological studies at pan-India level. The numerous statistical and ethnographic information as available in various Census Reports and publications since 1872 are the most exhaustive documentations on people and cultures of India. Thus, the Census of India, apart from the organization’s primary function of collecting population statistics through census, has made significant contributions to the fields of anthropological, ethnological, and sociological studies in India from its very beginning. In early 1960’s a separate cell named Social Studies & Handicrafts Unit within the Office of the Registrar General of India was constituted with a mandate to undertake specific anthropological, ethnological, and sociological investigations. This eventually named as Social Studies Division.

Human Resources
At present, the division has a total staff strength of 17 posts of Social Studies Cadres and one each of Deputy Director, Senior Compiler, Statistical Investigator( Grade II), and Statistical Investigator(Grade I) from the Census Cadre. The Social Studies Cadre hierarchically (from top to bottom) are one Deputy Registrar General(SS), one Assistant Registrar General(SS), one Senior Research Officer(SS), two Research Officer(SS), and twelve Investigator(SS)(Grade I). The staff of the Social Studies Division are recruited or posted from the academic and research background of anthropology, sociology, or other relevant social sciences

Works and Activities
Historically, the Social Studies Division was constituted with the objective of conducting specific research/studies on social issues. However, over the years the division has found a place in the organization for to provide all necessary inputs on social subjects with special reference to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes involving the primary activities of the organization i.e., the Census. Since its inception, the division has conducted several projects of important social issues. The works and activities of the Social Studies Division can be broadly divided under (1)Census works and (2)non-Census works. The details are as under:

1. Census Works:

  • 1.1 Enumeration of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
  • 1.1.1 Compilation of the SCs and STs lists for Census Enumeration
  • 1.1.2 Census Schedule for Enumeration of SCs and STs
  • 1.1.3 Preparation of Code Directory
  • 1.1.4 Classification of Unclassified SCs and STs Returns
  • 1.2 Enumeration of Religion
  • 1.2.1 Classification and Publication of Religion Returns
  • 1.3 Finalization of Tables
  • 1.4 Delimitation and Recasting of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Data
  • 1.5 Finalization of Urban Frame*
  • 1.5.1 Census Town and Statutory Town
  • 1.5.2 Urban Agglomeration
  • 1.5.3 Outgrowth
  • 1.6 District Census Hand-book*
  • 1.7 Village Directory and Town Directory*

2. Non-Census Works:

  • 2.1 Revision of the lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
  • 2.1.1 Article 341
  • 2.1.2 Article 342
  • 2.1.3 Modalities
  • 2.1.4 Criteria
  • 2.1.5 Examination of Proposals
  • 2.2 Inter-Census Social Studies Projects

3. Projects, Studies & Publications:

  • 3.1 Village Studies
  • 3.2 Socio-Demographic Studies/Re-Study of Villages
  • 3.3 Town Studies
  • 3.4 Ethnographic Studies
  • 3.5 Handicraft Survey
  • 3.6 Studies on Fairs & Festivals
  • 3.7 Town Directory
  • 3.8 Glossary Notes on Scheduled Castes
  • 3.9 Bibliography on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Selected Marginal Communities
  • 3.10 Miscellaneous Studies
  • 3.11 Plan Schemes (under Various Five-Year Plan
  • 3.12 Reports and Publications (under Plan Schemes)
  • 3.13 Census Data on Household Size and Structure

4. Resources:

  • 4.1 The Census of India Publications (Old and Current)
  • 4.2 Online Resources


*Note: Until 2011 Census the Social Studies Division involved in finalization of the Urban Frame(1.5), Identification of Census Towns, Urban Agglomeration, and Urban Outgrowths (1.5.1 to 1.5.3), District Census Hand-Book(1.6), and Village & Town Directories(1.7). For 2021 Census, these activities/works have been transferred to the Census Division.

**Disclaimer: Every care has been taken to present correct facts and figures. However, this office may not be liable for any inadvertent mistake regarding any facts and figures presented herein. Works and Activities (Details)....