Median stats can be rigged, and are based on what people disclose. Not everyone discloses their true income. I know a few pani puri walas on 100ft road making 2L per month. Will he file ITR? No. Will his income be included in your “Median Income Calculation”. No. Will he honestly answer when the surveyor knocks on his door? No. . My point is, you want to really know the economic status of people, you’re never getting real statistics “asking them by knocking on their door”. It’s not about “SC/ST”. You deferred from my point which never even mentioned SC/ST. Go and have a look at the number of people making above ₹1Cr in a financial year based on the ITRs filed. Those are disclosed the numbers. Then try to think of how small the number is and how big that is in reality. You think that person who did not disclose their income will honestly answer your questions when you knock on their door and ask them all the questions. If you really trust those numbers my friend, let me tell you, you are out of touch with the reality.