India is gearing up for its next census, slated to be held in 2027, which will include a caste enumeration for the first time since 1931. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently reviewed the preparations for this significant exercise with top officials, signaling the government's commitment to conducting a comprehensive and digitally-driven census.

The official notification for the census is expected to be published imminently, marking the formal commencement of the preparatory activities. This census will be the 16th since the beginning of census-taking in India and the 8th after the country gained independence.

To ensure accuracy and efficiency, the census will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, known as the Houselisting Operation (HLO), will focus on collecting data related to housing conditions, household assets, and available amenities. The second phase, called Population Enumeration (PE), will gather detailed demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and other relevant information from every person in each household.

A massive workforce of approximately 3.4 million enumerators and supervisors, supported by around 130,000 census functionaries, will be deployed for the census activities. This extensive mobilization underscores the scale and importance of the undertaking.

In a significant shift from previous practices, the 2027 census will primarily leverage digital technology. Data collection will be conducted through mobile applications, and a provision for self-enumeration will be made available to the public, empowering citizens to participate directly in the process. The government has emphasized that stringent data security measures will be implemented at every stage – collection, transmission, and storage – to safeguard the integrity and confidentiality of the information gathered.

The reference date for the census will be 00:00 hours on March 1, 2027. However, for the Union Territory of Ladakh and the snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be October 1, 2026. This adjustment accounts for the logistical challenges posed by varying weather conditions and accessibility in different regions.

One of the most notable aspects of the upcoming census is the inclusion of caste enumeration, a practice not undertaken since 1931. This decision has sparked considerable debate and discussion, with proponents arguing that it is essential for understanding the socio-economic realities of different caste groups and for designing targeted policies to address inequalities.

The census data is expected to play a crucial role in shaping policy decisions and resource allocation in the years to come. Moreover, it is anticipated that the 2027 census will serve as the basis for redistributing seats in the Lok Sabha for the 2029 general election, as part of the delimitation exercise.

The previous census was conducted in 2011, making the 2027 census a long-awaited exercise. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant delays to the census, which was originally scheduled for 2021. The government has been working diligently to overcome these challenges and ensure that the census is conducted smoothly and accurately.