‘No child to be identified by caste’: Himachal schools to tweak admission forms

Policy to be implemented from next academic session; students from SC community must furnish caste details for availing of government schemes and benefits

3 min readShimlaUpdated: Aug 27, 2026 04:55 AM IST

The state government provides subsidies under the Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Swarozgar Saur Yojana for setting up projects ranging from 100 KW to 2 MW. (Image: @SukhuSukhvinder/X)

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday directed the state education department to remove the ‘caste’ column from admission forms in all state-run schools from the next academic session. The students from the Scheduled Caste community, however, must continue to furnish their caste details for availing of government schemes and benefits, he said.

“The government is committed to eliminating caste-based discrimination in society and promoting fraternity and equality and the removal of the caste column would be a step in this direction. The new system will be implemented from the academic session 2027-28. We are looking to curb casteism from the grassroots level up. No child should be identified by his or her caste in schools,” Sukhu said.

Sukhu issued the direction while chairing a meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Caste Welfare Board in Shimla.

The CM added that the removal of the caste column from admission forms would not deprive eligible students belonging to Scheduled Castes and other socially and educationally backward sections of government-sponsored welfare schemes. Such students would still be able to furnish the required details through their parents or guardians, wherever necessary, for availing themselves of such benefits, he said.

Also Read | Not possible to give government job to all, says Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Secretary (Education) Rakesh Kanwar said the department would soon formulate a detailed policy and mechanism for implementing the policy. “The CM has taken a decision. A policy will be chalked out to implement it. The point that no eligible child should be deprived of government-sponsored schemes aimed at the upliftment of backward classes is also in our knowledge. The policy will be framed keeping this aspect in mind,” Kanwar said.

The move is expected to require changes in the admission process and related school records while ensuring that caste-related information, wherever legally or administratively required for extending welfare benefits, remains accessible through an appropriate mechanism.

Also Read | Sukhvinder Sukhu has survived rebellion, disaster and debt. Can he now win?

Meanwhile, CM said his government has launched several schemes for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes community. He said the government has also been providing loans of up to Rs 20 lakh to meritorious students for higher education at a one per cent interest rate.

Story continues below this ad

The state government provides subsidies under the Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Swarozgar Saur Yojana for setting up projects ranging from 100 KW to 2 MW. A subsidy of 5 per cent was being provided for projects in tribal areas and 4 per cent in other areas, he said. The government will also implement the Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana for extremely poor families, providing them 300 units of free electricity, and women from these families a monthly pension of Rs 1,500.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, who too attended the meeting, said his department has allocated nearly Rs 315 crore in the current financial year on schemes for the social and economic upliftment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, women, children and senior citizens. A corpus of Rs 1,105 crore, in addition, has been allocated under the Scheduled Caste Development Programme, he said.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Recommendations...

Sep 04: Latest News

Live Blog