Caste Demographics

Caste composition, SC voting patterns, and micro-targeting segments

32% SC Population

Punjab Caste Composition - Full Breakdown

From a3-punjab-caste-sc-subcastes, a4-punjab-obc-minority-demographics

SC (Scheduled Caste)31.94%

Highest proportion in India

OBC31%

Saini, Kamboj, Labana communities

Jat Sikh20-25%

Dominant landowning caste, Malwa

Upper Caste Hindu10-12%

Brahmin, Bania, Khatri, Rajput

Mazhabi Sikh30-31.5%

Largest SC sub-caste, rural Malwa

Ravidasia23-26%

Doaba concentration, Dera Ballan link

SC Voting Patterns

From a25-punjab-caste-voting-2026

Congress SC Share42-48%

AAP Dalit Share (2017)8%

AAP Dalit Share (2022)27%

AAP Dalit Growth+19 percentage points

BJP Dalit OutreachGrowing via OBC strategy

Dera Influence90% donations in dera areas

SC Reserved Seats34

AAP Dalit share grew 8% to 27% in 5 years - fastest gainer among SC voters.

Micro-Targeting Segments

From b14-voter-contact-optimization-framework

Mazhabi Sikh (SC)8-10%

Issues: Land rights, Dignity, Employment

Channel: SCpora leaders, community meetings

Jat Sikh20-22%

Issues: MSP, Debt relief, Canal water

Channel: Mandi meetings, farmer unions

Ravidasia (Doaba)4-5%

Issues: Dera recognition, Business promotion, Education

Channel: Dera Ballan networks

OBC Communities15-18%

Issues: Reservation, Credit access, Skill development

Channel: OBC leaders, trader associations

Urban Middle Class~35-40%

Issues: Services, Infrastructure, Safety

Channel: Digital, RWA partnerships

Age Cohort Voting Patterns

From b14-microtargeting-turnout-contact-framework

First-Time Voters (18-25)15-18%

Priority: Unemployment, Education, Startup support

Influence: Social media, peer networks, celebrity

Young Adults (26-35)18-22%

Priority: Housing, Employment, Healthcare

Influence: Aspirational messaging, concrete proposals

Established Adults (36-50)28-32%

Priority: Children education, Agricultural sustainability, Family business

Influence: Personal contact, local candidate reputation

Mature Adults (51-65)22-25%

Priority: Pension security, Healthcare, Traditional values

Influence: Traditional media, community outreach

Senior Citizens (65+)10-12%

Priority: Old age security, Healthcare, Social respect

Influence: Personal outreach, family recommendations

Jat Sikh Congress Voter Profile

DemographicJat Sikh voters

Age profileOlder (45+)

GeographyRural

OccupationFarmer families

Land holdingsMedium-large

Core Congress rural vote bank. Farmer unions, SKM connections. Responsive to MSP and debt relief messaging.

RSS Sikh Outreach (2019-2024)

Sikh morcha activations200+

Dharam sabhas50+

Target demographicJat Sikh youth

Congress impactLeadership vacuum

RSS systematically expanding Sikh base. Congress has no counter-social infrastructure in rural Sikh belts.

Congress Factionalism - Organizational Risk

From s1-cross-reference-validation

FactionsWarring, Bajwa, Channi

By-election Losses6 of 7 last by-elections

AICC Gag OrderJanuary 2026

Channi DemandMore Dalit representation

CM Face DeclaredNO

Ground Game RiskHIGH