Context:
The Government of India has confirmed that the upcoming Census 2027 will include caste-wise population enumeration, marking the first comprehensive caste census since 1931.
About Census 2027:
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- Conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Census 2027 will be carried out in two phases: the House Listing and Housing Census from April to September 2026, followed by Population Enumeration beginning in February 2027.
- The reference date will be 1 March 2027 for most regions, and 1 October 2026 for snow-bound areas such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The inclusion of caste-related questions in the second phase has been officially notified in the Rajya Sabha.
- Conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Census 2027 will be carried out in two phases: the House Listing and Housing Census from April to September 2026, followed by Population Enumeration beginning in February 2027.
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Key Features of Census 2027:
Two-Phase Enumeration:
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- Phase I (House Listing and Housing Census): Collects data on household characteristics, housing conditions, assets, and amenities.
- Phase II (Population Enumeration): Records demographic, socio-economic, and caste details of every individual. Caste-related questions will be notified in advance to ensure transparency.
- Phase I (House Listing and Housing Census): Collects data on household characteristics, housing conditions, assets, and amenities.
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Digital-First Census:
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- Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital census, conducted through mobile applications and online self-enumeration. Paper schedules will be used only as a fallback, if necessary. Approximately 30–34 lakh personnel, including enumerators, supervisors, and officers, are expected to manage this nationwide exercise.
- Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital census, conducted through mobile applications and online self-enumeration. Paper schedules will be used only as a fallback, if necessary. Approximately 30–34 lakh personnel, including enumerators, supervisors, and officers, are expected to manage this nationwide exercise.
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Significance of Caste Enumeration
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- Filling a Long-Standing Data Gap
- Since 1931, India has lacked comprehensive caste data. Post-Independence censuses have recorded only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), leaving data on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other caste groups largely based on estimates. Census 2027 aims to provide empirical caste data to support informed policymaking.
- Since 1931, India has lacked comprehensive caste data. Post-Independence censuses have recorded only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), leaving data on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other caste groups largely based on estimates. Census 2027 aims to provide empirical caste data to support informed policymaking.
- Policy and Social Planning
- Accurate caste statistics will enable evidence-based policymaking in areas such as education, employment, health, and social welfare. Such data are essential for effectively targeting historically marginalised communities and assessing the impact of social justice initiatives.
- Accurate caste statistics will enable evidence-based policymaking in areas such as education, employment, health, and social welfare. Such data are essential for effectively targeting historically marginalised communities and assessing the impact of social justice initiatives.
- Filling a Long-Standing Data Gap
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Challenges and Considerations:
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- Methodological Debates
- Questions persist regarding whether caste identities will be purely self-declared or subject to verification, and how regional and linguistic variations in caste names will be addressed. The Supreme Court has observed that mere self-declaration may not ensure accuracy, underscoring the need for robust methodological safeguards.
- Questions persist regarding whether caste identities will be purely self-declared or subject to verification, and how regional and linguistic variations in caste names will be addressed. The Supreme Court has observed that mere self-declaration may not ensure accuracy, underscoring the need for robust methodological safeguards.
- Political and Social Discourse
- The announcement has sparked political and social debates, with demands for wider consultation on the framing of caste questions and enumeration methodology, reflecting concerns over the potential politicisation of caste data.
- The announcement has sparked political and social debates, with demands for wider consultation on the framing of caste questions and enumeration methodology, reflecting concerns over the potential politicisation of caste data.
- Methodological Debates
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Conclusion:
Census 2027, India’s 16th decennial census, represents a historic effort to integrate comprehensive caste data into the country’s demographic records for the first time in nearly a century. By leveraging digital tools and a phased, structured approach, it seeks to generate reliable and granular data. Its success will depend on methodological clarity, public trust, and the effective use of data to advance policymaking, social justice, and inclusive development.
