Census 2027 to Begin March 1, Caste Enumeration Included for First Time Since 1931

Government clears nationwide caste data collection after decades; political and policy implications to follow

Raj Chaubey 2 weeks agoLast Updated: June 9, 2025

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Reviewed & Published by HH News Desk

India’s long-delayed population census is now scheduled to begin on March 1, 2027, with senior officials confirming that caste data will be collected as part of the national enumeration. This development, which comes after years of political debate and administrative delays, marks a major shift in the way demographic data will be compiled in the country.

The upcoming exercise, originally meant for 2021, was put on hold due to the pandemic and postponed indefinitely thereafter. But according to sources familiar with the matter, preparations are back on track. A formal notification is expected once the house-listing phase is finalized, which is likely to start by late 2026.

Caste Returns to National Data Collection

The last time caste was comprehensively recorded in India’s census was in 1931. Post-independence, successive governments chose not to include caste in decadal counts—mainly to avoid reinforcing social divisions. That policy has now changed. Officials say the decision to include caste data was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs earlier this year.

One official involved in early planning explained that the need for updated caste data had been growing, especially with demand from various states and social justice advocates. “The absence of detailed caste numbers has made policymaking less responsive,” the official said.

Pressure has been mounting from several quarters. In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been a long-standing voice in favour of a nationwide caste count, having already conducted a similar survey at the state level. His party welcomed the move as a long-overdue step toward evidence-based welfare.

Politics Around the Enumeration

On the political front, reactions have been swift. While the Congress party has hailed the move, it also pointed out the delay. Rahul Gandhi, speaking at a public event in Telangana, described caste enumeration as essential to building a more equal society. “You cannot talk about social justice without knowing the actual numbers,” he said.

Gandhi’s remarks came as part of a larger campaign by the Congress, which has positioned the Telangana model—where regional data has been used for targeted welfare—as a framework for national replication.

The BJP, which had so far avoided taking a clear stand on caste data in census operations, has maintained that the exercise is purely administrative. “This isn’t about politics,” a senior party leader remarked. “It’s about better governance.”

Still, some within the party have privately acknowledged that the inclusion of caste data could reshape voter expectations around reservation, jobs, and welfare allocation.

Digital Tools, Logistical Overhaul

In what could be another first, the 2027 census is also expected to go digital. Officials say they plan to introduce mobile-based data collection, along with online self-enumeration options for those willing and able. Enumerators will carry handheld devices, replacing traditional paper schedules.

There’s optimism, but also caution. States have raised concerns about digital gaps, especially in rural areas. And privacy remains a sticking point. Since caste is a sensitive category, there’s likely to be close scrutiny of how the data is stored, accessed, and eventually published.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is reportedly working on cybersecurity guidelines in collaboration with the census authority to ensure data protection. For now, government sources say no final decision has been made on whether the full caste data will be made public, though a summary is likely.

What This Means for Policy

Experts believe that the inclusion of caste data could lead to significant policy shifts. From changes in reservation quotas to tweaks in welfare schemes and even redrawing of constituency boundaries post-2026, the implications could be wide-ranging.

“It’s a huge moment,” said a Delhi-based political analyst. “We’re about to get a realistic snapshot of caste dynamics in India, something that’s been missing from official statistics for too long.”

But the impact won’t just be academic. Politicians, civil society groups, and government departments are all expected to use the new data to push for structural reforms—or, in some cases, to defend status quos.

Dr. Rukmini Banerji, an education expert and member of various policy committees, argued that without caste data, it’s nearly impossible to track the effectiveness of existing schemes. “We’ve been making guesses about which groups are lagging. Now, we might actually know,” she said.

State-Level Coordination Underway

The Registrar General of India has already reached out to state governments for logistical inputs. The first step is to revise training manuals and recruit enumerators who will be trained to gather both traditional and caste-specific data.

“States are being asked to help with translations, tech deployment, and public awareness drives,” a senior officer confirmed. “This is not something the Centre can do alone.”

Each state will also need to finalize language templates for caste listings, as caste identities can vary significantly across regions. Ensuring standardization without losing regional nuance is being treated as a major technical challenge.

Looking Ahead

While officials stress that the census will be a technical exercise, the political reverberations are already being felt. With general elections behind and several key states heading to polls in the next two years, the rollout of caste enumeration is expected to feature prominently in public discourse.

Whether the data will be used to deepen equity or reinforce divides is a debate that’s already underway—but for now, what’s clear is that India’s next population census will be unlike any before it.

Source: India Today

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Author Profile

Raj Chaubey

Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald

Raj Chaubey is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, specializing in political and geopolitical news. As a student at Delhi University, Raj combines academic rigor with a commitment to investigative journalism, aiming to uncover the broader implications of current events. His daily articles strive to offer our audience a deeper understanding of complex political landscapes and their global connections.