In a major step to revive the decadal census process, which was put on hold in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India announced the Population Census 2027. The population census will be conducted in two phases and include caste enumeration, after a gap of 16 years since the last official population count.
As per the official announcement, the government will consider the reference date for the majority of regions to be 00:00 hours on March 1, 2027, while the reference date for the Union Territory of Ladakh and snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand is to be October 1, 2026.
India to have Population Census After 16 Years
The Ministry of Home Affairs recently said that caste enumeration will be part of the two-phase Population Census 2027, underlining the government's intention to update and modernize demographic data that is essential for planning, social welfare programs, and governance. In accordance with Section 3 of the Census Act of 1948, the census notification will be published in the Official Gazette on June 16, 2025.
What is Population Census?
India’s Population census is regulated by the 1948 Census Act and the 1990 Census Rules. As per the rules, the central government has to do a population census in the country every 10 years in order to make policy changes accordingly. However, despite all preparations being finished, the COVID-19 epidemic caused the 2021 Census to be delayed.
Over 1.2 billion individuals were counted in the most recent complete population census, which was carried out in 2011.
Key Features of Population Census
The Census 2027 will be carried out in two phases across India. The first phase will focus on house listing operations, where details about households will be collected. The second phase will involve population enumeration, where information about individuals will be recorded.
For most parts of the country, the reference date for the census will be March 1, 2027. However, in Ladakh and the snow-covered areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be a bit earlier, October 1, 2026, due to extreme weather conditions.
Caste Census to Start Again
The population count will be accompanied by an official caste enumeration for the first time in decades. A caste census is one in which data based on caste is gathered. Details about the distribution of caste groups, their socioeconomic circumstances, level of education, and other relevant variables are provided by the data.
The purpose of the caste census is to incorporate caste-related questions into the regular census process.
Last Caste Census Held in 1951
Caste enumeration was a common practice in censuses conducted between 1881 and 1931 when Britain was in power. However, the government stopped the practice in 1951 after India gained its independence and conducted its first census.
Following India's independence, the government divided its population into four major groups according to social and educational standards: Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and others.
