India is set to conduct its national population census in 2027 in two phases, incorporating caste enumeration for the first time since 1931.
The Union Home Ministry announced that the first phase will begin in October 2026, covering snow-bound regions such as Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
The rest of the country will be covered in the second phase, which is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
The reference date for the entire census exercise is March 1, 2027.
This reference date indicates the specific point in time to which all the collected population data will pertain.
This marks a significant shift in India’s approach to demographic data collection, as caste data has not been comprehensively gathered since the pre-independence era.
The inclusion of caste information is intended to offer a more accurate picture of the country’s social structure, potentially shaping policies related to affirmative action, welfare schemes, and resource allocation.
According to the provisions of the Census Act, 1948, the official notification for the census is scheduled to be published in the Gazette of India on June 16, 2025.
Originally planned for 2021, the census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The delay has attracted criticism from opposition parties. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the need for a further 23-month postponement, stating, “The Modi government is capable only of generating headlines, not meeting deadlines.”
The upcoming census is expected to have far-reaching implications, including potential effects on electoral boundaries and reservation policies.
With over 30 lakh enumerators and supervisors expected to be deployed, the exercise will represent one of the largest administrative operations in the country.
