India is gearing up for its next census in 2027, marking a significant milestone with the inclusion of a comprehensive nationwide caste enumeration for the first time since 1931. The Union Government has officially notified the commencement of this 16th census, signaling a major development in the country's approach to data collection and social policy.
The census will be conducted in two phases. For snow-bound areas like Ladakh, the enumeration will begin on October 1, 2026. The rest of the country will follow, starting March 1, 2027. This latest census comes after a gap of 16 years, the last one having been conducted in 2011.
One of the most significant aspects of the 2027 census is its digital-first approach. It will be the first time that India conducts a census using mobile apps and online self-enumeration. Households will have the option to log into a government portal or use a dedicated app to fill in their details. Upon completion, the system will generate a unique ID, which residents can then provide to census enumerators during their visit. Enumerators will also be equipped with preloaded handheld devices or smartphones, although a dual system including paper enumeration is planned. The move to digitisation is expected to reduce errors, speed up data processing, and improve the overall quality control of the census. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India (RGI) has already established the necessary digital infrastructure for this shift, including training enumerators in the use of mobile apps, geotagging tools, and cloud-based data upload systems. Real-time dashboards will be used to track progress, identify inconsistencies, and facilitate timely updates.
The inclusion of caste enumeration is a notable departure from recent census exercises. The last time caste data was collected nationwide was in 1931. While the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) was conducted in 2011, its data was not fully released, and it was primarily intended to identify beneficiaries for government programs. The 2027 census aims to collect caste data for all communities, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the country's social stratification.
The decision to include caste enumeration has been met with mixed reactions. Some political parties have welcomed the move as a historic step towards empowering people through data and addressing historical injustices. Others have expressed concerns about the potential for the data to be used to further divide the nation along caste lines. Some leaders are cautioning against empty symbolism and stressing the importance of backing the census with adequate budgetary provisions to ensure its effectiveness. It is expected that the caste enumeration will play a crucial role in shaping welfare policies and political narratives, particularly with upcoming state elections. Analysts view this as a strategic move by the government to strengthen its outreach to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other marginalized communities.
The 2027 census questionnaire will largely remain the same as the one prepared in 2018, with the addition of caste enumeration. The house-listing operation will collect data under 34 columns, while population enumeration will involve 28 columns, capturing extensive demographic, social, and economic data.
The entire enumeration process is expected to be completed within 20-21 days in February 2027. Provisional data is expected to be released within 10 days of completion, and the final data will be available within six months.
