The Indian government has officially announced that the 16th Census of India will be conducted in two phases, marking a significant milestone as it includes the first nationwide caste enumeration since 1931 and will be conducted digitally. The reference date for most of the country is set as March 1, 2027, while for snow-bound and remote regions like Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date is October 1, 2026. This census aims to provide a comprehensive and updated national mirror, reflecting the changing patterns of identity, occupation, living conditions, and family structure.

What is Caste Census?

A caste census is an official survey that collects data on the caste identities of people. In India, where caste has historically influenced access to resources, education, and opportunities, a caste census seeks to provide a detailed picture of the population’s caste composition. This data enables policymakers to understand the socio-economic conditions of different communities and design targeted schemes for the upliftment of marginalized groups.

The primary goals of a caste census are to:

• Provide Insights: Offer clear insights into the population size and living conditions of various caste groups.
• Resource Allocation: Help in allocating resources like education, healthcare, and employment benefits more effectively.
• Evaluate Affirmative Action Policies: Provide a factual basis for reviewing and rationalizing existing reservation policies, ensuring they align with current socio-economic realities.
• Identify Marginalized Communities: Identify communities that need more support and enable governments to design targeted schemes to uplift those who are socially and economically disadvantaged.

Why Census is Important for India

The census is a vital administrative exercise with legal backing from the Census Act of 1948 and constitutional provisions. It serves multiple critical functions:

• Delimitation of Constituencies: The census is the basis on which electoral constituencies are drawn and seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as mandated by Articles 82, 330, and 332 of the Constitution.
• Resource Allocation: Central grants to states and districts are often population-based, as are subsidies and ration allocations.
• Policy Making and Planning: Ministries ranging from Education to Rural Development use census data to locate schools, primary health centers, and infrastructure projects. It helps the judiciary, planners, and scholars alike understand trends in migration, urbanization, employment, and fertility.
• National Mirror: Beyond administration, the census has also become a national mirror, reflecting changing patterns of identity, occupation, living conditions, and family structure.

How the 2027 Census Differs from Previous Censuses

The 2027 Census will be different from the 2011 Census in both methodology and content:

• Digital Census: It will be the first digital census in India's history, utilizing mobile apps, online self-enumeration, and near-real-time monitoring.
• Self-Enumeration: In a shift from 2011, the 2027 Census plans to allow self-enumeration, where households can log into a government portal or use an app to fill out their own details.
• Caste Data Collection: The 2027 census will collect caste data for all communities, the first time since 1931.
• GPS Integration: While 2011 used physical maps and area lists, 2027 introduces GPS tagging of households and geofencing to avoid coverage gaps.
• Mobile Tracking and Validation: Enumerators in 2027 will receive alerts for errors like inconsistent age or unrealistic household size, enabling real-time corrections. Such checks did not exist in 2011.

The census will be conducted in two phases: the House-listing and Housing Census, followed by the Population Enumeration. The house-listing operation will collect data under 34 columns, while population enumeration will have 28 columns, capturing extensive demographic, social, and economic data. Approximately 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors along with around 1.3 lakh census functionaries will be deployed for the operations.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the potential benefits, conducting a census, especially one that includes caste enumeration, presents several challenges:

• High Cost: Conducting a census is an expensive process, requiring significant resources for hiring and training enumerators, printing questionnaires, and processing data.
• Time-Consuming: Collecting data from every individual in a population is a time-consuming process that can take several months or even years to complete.
• Non-Response and Undercounting: Ensuring that every individual is counted is a major challenge. Non-response, due to lack of awareness, language barriers, or distrust in the government, can lead to undercounting and inaccurate data.
• Logistical Challenges: Reaching remote or hard-to-access areas, including rural communities and informal settlements, poses logistical challenges.
• Cultural and Language Barriers: In a diverse country like India, cultural and language barriers can make it difficult for enumerators to collect accurate data.
• Data Accuracy and Manipulation: Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the collected data is crucial. There may be attempts to manipulate census data for political purposes.
• Lack of Standardized Caste List: The absence of a standardized caste code list poses difficulties in classifying India's numerous castes and sub-castes in a consistent manner.

The Population Census 2027, with its inclusion of caste enumeration and digital methodology, holds immense potential for informing policy and promoting social justice in India.