The Centre has informed Supreme Court that the Census Act, 1948 empowers only the Union government to conduct the census. In the affidavit filed before the top court, the Centre said that it is committed to taking all affirmative actions for the uplift of SCs, STs, OBCs and Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBCs) in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India and the applicable law. The Centre submitted before the Supreme Court that no other body except the Union Government is entitled to conduct the exercise of either Census or any action akin to the census.

The apex court was hearing various petitions challenging the Patna High Court judgement upholding the caste survey ordered by the Bihar Government. One of the petitioners said that Patna High Court had erroneously dismissed his writ petition without taking into consideration the fact that the State of Bihar lacked the competence to notify caste-based survey vide notification dated June 6, 2022.