Census of India to Begin on 1 March 2027 with Caste Enumeration
India’s next national census is scheduled to begin on March 1, 2027, marking a historic moment as it will be the first time in independent India that detailed caste and tribe-related data will be included. According to government sources, this will be the first nationwide census conducted after a gap of 16 years, the previous one having been held in 2011. The census, originally scheduled for 2021, had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the official reference date for the census is March 1, 2027, preparatory and first-phase activities will commence from October 2026. In hilly states and Union Territories like Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the enumeration will begin earlier due to the challenging winter conditions that make fieldwork difficult.
The upcoming census will be conducted in two phases. Besides population data, the government will collect comprehensive socio-economic information. A significant addition this time is the inclusion of caste and tribe-related data, which will officially record the names and population figures of various castes and tribes across the country.
On April 30, the central government officially confirmed that the 2027 census would include caste-related questions, responding to a long-standing demand from opposition parties. This move is seen as politically significant, especially ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, where approximately 63% of the population belongs to Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Experts believe that the updated caste-based and socio-economic data will play a crucial role in policy formulation, reservation frameworks, educational planning, and the implementation of welfare schemes, ensuring that decisions are based on accurate and current demographic realities.
Q1. When will the next Census of India begin?
The Census will officially begin on 1 March 2027.
Q2. Why was the Census delayed after 2011?
The 2021 Census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q3. Will caste data be included in Census 2027?
Yes, detailed caste and sub-caste data will be included for the first time.