India's Upcoming Caste Census: Key Details and Timeline

India Caste Census Announcement

The long-awaited census process in India is finally set to commence. The Ministry of Home Affairs has officially released a notification under the Census Act of 1948, confirming that the next national census will take place in 2027. Let's explore the methodology and arrangements that will be in place for this significant undertaking.

Census to Be Conducted in Two Phases

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the census will be executed in two distinct phases. The first phase, known as the House Listing Operation (HLO), will involve collecting data on the status of each household, including available amenities and property details. The second phase, termed Population Enumeration (PE), will gather demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and other relevant information from each individual.

Deployment of Personnel

The government has announced that approximately 3.4 million enumerators and 130,000 census officials will be appointed to facilitate the census process.

Inclusion of Caste Data for the First Time

This census marks the 16th national census in India and the eighth since independence. Notably, it will be the first time that caste-based data will be collected, which could significantly aid in the effective targeting of social welfare programs.

Home Minister Reviews Preparations

On June 15, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a review of the census preparations. The meeting included key officials such as Home Secretary Govind Mohan and the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan. The government has emphasized that strict security protocols will be adhered to during data collection, transmission, and storage to ensure the complete safety of citizens' personal information.