The Bihar Caste Survey results are out despite the hurdles created by the Centre. And the outcome is revealing, though not surprising. The existing percentage of reservation is way off the mark as it is based on the Census in 1931, when India was still under colonial rule. That was the last time when caste composition was included in the Census. 

Hence, it goes without saying that the number of people belonging to various castes would have undergone drastic changes, making the existing reservation formula redundant. Here comes the relevance of the Bihar caste survey -- it is not called Census as only the Central Government has the power to conduct it.

The most relevant finding of the survey is the percentage of Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) which is pegged at 36 per cent. Then comes the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) which constitute 27 per cent, Scheduled Castes at 19.65 per cent and the Scheduled Tribes at 1.68 per cent. Surprisingly the general/unreserved category (meaning the upper castes) stands at little over 15 per cent. 

Hence, the biggest take away from the survey is the incongruity of the existing system of 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs that include both EBCs and OBCs whose population now stands at a whopping 63 (36+27) per cent. This also means that the EBCs, OBCs, SCs and STs together constitute as much as 85 per cent, but their reservation is capped at 50 per cent. On the other hand, the general category candidates are cornering 50 per cent of the quota pie.

This is where the Bihar caste survey has sent shock waves to BJP while it has warmed the cockles of most other parties. At the national level too, if a caste census is conducted, the result may not be much different from what the Bihar survey has thrown up. Now, there would be a clamour for increasing the reservation for backward classes and scheduled castes proportionate to their share in the population. 

This would invariably make a deep hole in the reservation set apart for the general category, considered to be a consistent vote bank of the BJP. Hence, it is not surprising that the BJP is seeing red in the Bihar survey, with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it an effort to divide and polarize the country. However, the government would do well to put a realistic cap on the reservation to protect those who do not fall under the caste ambit. 

Caste numbers will provide a reality check for the government to do justice to various classes of people. Along with this, measures like reserving a certain percentage for the economically weaker sections among the general category and minority candidates would go a long way in ensuring justice in the society. 

There is no truth in the argument that reservation would adversely impact the quality of man power as there is no empirical data to prove it. On the other hand, reservation would be an equalizing force in the society. Bihar has taken the lead, and the country can take it forward. Until a better method is experimented in affirmative action, reservation would be the way ahead.