Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Caste Census to Be Conducted in Second Phase of Census 2027, Says Government Amid Political Row and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the nationwide census will begin in February 2027, with caste enumeration included in Phase 2. The ministry noted that the framework and timelines for Census 2027 were outlined in an official press note issued on December 12, 2025. It said misinformation was being circulated, particularly regarding the caste census component.
According to the MHA, census operations in snow-bound and non-synchronous regions—such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and select remote areas—will be completed by September 2026. The rest of the country will follow a synchronized schedule beginning early 2027.
The clarification comes amid sharp political reactions from the opposition. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav questioned the government’s intent, alleging that the caste census announcement was another “jumla” or empty promise by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a post on social media platform X, Yadav claimed the census notification does not include a clear column for caste and asked what exactly would be counted. He alleged that the PDA bloc—Backward Classes, Dalits and minorities—was being misled.
The Congress also raised concerns over the structure of the census questionnaire. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed to Question 12 in the house-listing schedule, which asks whether the head of the household belongs to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other categories. He argued that the form should explicitly seek details on Other Backward Classes and the General category, stating that the current framing raises doubts about the government’s commitment to a comprehensive caste enumeration.
The government, however, has maintained that the caste census will be conducted digitally as part of Census 2027. Officials said the entire exercise will be paperless, with around 30 lakh enumerators collecting data through a mobile application compatible with Android and iOS platforms. Real-time data transfer through a central portal is expected to improve accuracy and efficiency.
Caste-related data will also be captured digitally, marking the first caste enumeration in independent India. Earlier caste-based censuses were conducted only until 1931 during the British period.
The decision to include caste enumeration was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in April. As per the 2011 Census, India’s population stood at around 121 crore, with males accounting for 51.5 per cent and females 48.5 per cent.
With the Supreme Court yet to weigh in and political debate intensifying, Census 2027 is set to remain a closely watched national exercise.