The column indicating caste will no longer be present in admission forms at schools in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu instructed the education department to remove this column from admission forms in all government schools across the state.
The Chief Minister directed that this measure be implemented starting from the next academic year, specifically 2027-28. During a meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Council for Lower Castes, which was attended by the Chief Minister, he discussed the steps taken by the government to promote fraternity and equality, as well as to eradicate caste discrimination in society.
Sukhu ordered the removal of the caste information column from government school admission forms. Nevertheless, students from lower castes (SC) will still need to provide details regarding their caste to avail themselves of government social security programs.
Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary of Education for Himachal Pradesh, stated that the department will soon develop a policy to implement the Chief Minister's directives. He also emphasized that it will be ensured that no deserving child is deprived of the benefits of government programs.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also presented social programs launched for the welfare of lower castes. He noted that talented students seeking higher education are provided with a loan of up to 20 million rupees at an interest rate of just one percent. Furthermore, under the Rajiv Gandhi Startup Scheme, a subsidy is provided for installing solar power plants ranging from 100 kilowatts to two megawatts.