Shifting Demographics: Comparing Telangana's 2024 Caste Survey with 1931 Census Data

This analysis examines the evolving landscape of census data and caste enumeration in Telangana, India, by contrasting the 2024 Samagra Kutumba (SEEEPC) survey with historical records from the 1931 Census under the Nizam’s rule. While the state's population has seen a modest 1.35% decadal growth since 2011, reaching approximately 3.55 million, the 2024 survey reveals significant shifts in social categorization. Unlike the 1931 Census, which listed diverse ethnic groups including Zoroastrians and Europeans, the recent survey omits certain minority communities despite their presence. A striking finding is the surge in citizens identifying as 'no caste,' rising from 4,558 individuals in 1931 to over 887,000 in Hyderabad today. Additionally, the demographic proportions of specific Scheduled Castes have changed; the Mala community's share decreased from 7.45% to 4.88%, while the Madiga community's share increased to 10.3%. The article highlights how administrative boundaries and classification methods have transformed, moving from 81 labels in 1931 to structured categories of Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and Backward Castes in 2024, offering crucial insights into societal changes and identity politics in the region.