Given the diverse sources of data and the fact that often information exclusively on Muslims was not readily available; the analytical categories created reflect the dictates of the Committee’s mandate while ensuring optimal utilisation of available data. As a result, different SRCs have been defined for different data sets.

Self-reported caste affiliation in terms of SCs/STs and OBCs from all religious communities has formed the basis of the analysis of data. According to these estimates about 41 % of Muslims identified themselves as OBCs in 2004-05; this proportion was 32 per cent in 1999-2000. Among the Hindus, about 43 % reported OBC status in 2004-05, while about 31 % people belonged to the SCs/STs categories. There have been considerable state level variations for example, West Bengal has almost no OBCs living in its boundaries, where as most of those living in Tamil Nadu are OBCs and so on. There are also noteworthy differentials in terms of OBC in urban and rural areas of India as well.

One can argue for a separate category of Muslims who report themselves as SC and ST in the NSSO surveys, as has been done in the case of OBCs. However, such a categorisation does not seem desirable due to low levels of such reporting amongst the Muslims. Only 0.8 % Muslims reported themselves as SCs; the share of Muslims reporting themselves as STs was even lower.

Shariff is Chief Economist, National Council of Applied Economic Research, and was Member-Secretary of the PMO's Sachar Committee.