The Indian government has officially set in motion the process for the 16th Census, with the formal notification issued on June 16, 2025. This monumental exercise, conducted roughly every ten years, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming census is particularly noteworthy as it will include caste enumeration for the first time since 1931, a move with potentially far-reaching socio-economic and political consequences. The entire process is expected to be completed by March 1, 2027.

The census will be carried out in two phases. The initial phase involves a comprehensive house listing operation, where details of all buildings, whether permanent or temporary, will be recorded, including their type, amenities, and available assets. The second phase will focus on population enumeration, gathering detailed demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and other relevant information about every person residing in each household. To manage this extensive operation, approximately 3.4 million enumerators and supervisors, along with 1.3 lakh census officials, will be deployed across the country.

In a significant shift from previous practices, the 2027 Census will primarily utilize digital means, employing mobile applications for data collection. Additionally, a provision for self-enumeration will be available, allowing citizens to directly input their information. The government has assured that stringent data security measures will be implemented to protect the collected data during collection, transmission, and storage.

The decision to include caste enumeration has sparked considerable debate. Supporters argue that it will provide valuable data for targeted policy interventions and address historical inequalities. The data is unlikely to lead to any policy shifts, or for inclusion or exclusion of any castes in any category. The collected information is expected to inform government schemes, policies, and planning initiatives. It may also serve as the basis for redrawing Lok Sabha constituencies and potentially ushering in the reservation of a third of all seats in national and state legislatures for women. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for misuse of caste data and its impact on social harmony.

While the census operations are moving forward, it appears increasingly unlikely that the National Population Register (NPR) will be updated concurrently. The NPR is a comprehensive database of all "usual residents" of India, regardless of citizenship status, and is typically updated every five years. While earlier reports suggested the NPR would be updated alongside the census, recent developments indicate a change in plans. The focus seems to be primarily on completing the census and the caste enumeration exercise. The NPR was last updated in 2010 and is maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs.