<h1>Caste census confirmation frames caste-disaggregated data as official policy and a strategic political response to opposition demands.</h1> The central government's announcement to conduct a caste census elevates caste-disaggregated measurement of SC, ST and OBC populations as an official policy priority and a political strategy to address opposition demands for social-justice data. While implementation details and timing are not yet specified, the decision signals formal recognition of caste-based statistics, aims to neutralize opposition electoral claims by adopting their agenda, and is likely to affect regional political alignments and policy discussions depending on the census design and subsequent use of the data.