India's caste census, the first since 1931, aims to refine welfare and affirmative action but risks deepening divisions. Balancing equity and unity, it tests India's democratic resolve to use data for justice without fueling identity politics.

The Supreme Court in C. Selvarani v. The Special Secretary-cum-District Collector ruled that religious conversions made solely to avail reservation benefits are a "fraud on the Constitution." The decision emphasizes the need for genuine conversions to uphold social justice.