June 4, 2025 — The Government of India has officially announced that the long-awaited population census will begin on March 1, 2027, following a delay of six years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent administrative challenges. This upcoming census, the 16th since independence, will also include caste enumeration—a first in nearly a century.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a notification released today, confirmed that the decennial exercise will be conducted in two phases: a House Listing Phase starting from October 1, 2026, in select Himalayan states, followed by a Population Enumeration Phase commencing nationwide on March 1, 2027.
Significance of the 2026–27 Census
This population survey was originally scheduled for 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and multiple delays in administrative boundary updates. With this new timeline, India is set to carry out one of the largest census exercises in the world, expected to cover a population of 1.48 billion people.
For the first time since 1931, the census will record caste data, a decision that is likely to have a significant impact on public policy, political representation, and affirmative action programs. The move comes amid increasing demands for data-driven policymaking, particularly to support marginalized communities.
Digital and Multilingual Census
The 2026–27 census will be India’s first fully digital census. Enumerators will use a mobile application developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, enabling real-time data entry and faster processing. The census will be conducted in 16 Indian languages, making it more accessible and inclusive.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier stated that the new digital process would enhance transparency and efficiency. The digital format is also expected to help minimize human error and reduce data processing time significantly.
Caste Enumeration Returns After 96 Years
The inclusion of caste data is one of the most discussed aspects of the upcoming census. Caste-based information was last collected in 1931. While a similar exercise was carried out in 2011, the data was never released due to concerns over accuracy.
Supporters of caste enumeration argue that it will enable the government to better identify beneficiaries for welfare schemes and ensure equitable resource distribution. However, critics warn that such data collection may reinforce existing social divisions and politicize caste identities further.
Political and Electoral Impact
The census data will also play a crucial role in the delimitation process for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Updated population figures will be used to redraw parliamentary constituencies, potentially shifting political influence across states.
Timeline of Delays
Initially, the House Listing Phase was scheduled for April–September 2020, with the Population Enumeration Phase set for February 2021. However, the pandemic halted operations, and subsequent delays in freezing administrative boundaries pushed the exercise further. The final freeze date was extended to June 30, 2024, and as per guidelines, the census can only start three months after this freeze.
Budget and Operational Scale
The Indian government had allocated ₹37.68 billion (approximately $450 million) for the census in the 2021 Union Budget. The funds will be used for mobile infrastructure, training of enumerators, awareness campaigns, and technological deployment.
Over 30 lakh enumerators are expected to participate in this nationwide exercise. Training and logistical planning are already underway to ensure smooth execution in 2026–27.
What to Expect Next
While some details—such as how exactly the caste data will be collected or how the digital process will work—are still awaited, the government is expected to begin training census staff and launching public awareness campaigns by the end of 2025.
This population census is not just about counting people. It is a crucial national exercise that will help the government make better decisions on policies, welfare programs, and redrawing electoral boundaries for future elections. The data will influence how resources are allocated, which regions need more support, and how representation is determined across states.
Source: Wikipedia – Next Census of India
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