Census from March 2027: Calculation of caste to be part of exercise; J&K, initial start in Uttarakhand | Bharat News
New Delhi: The government announced on Wednesday that the next nationwide census will begin on March 1, 2027. However, in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand, the census process is expected to begin before October 2026.The nationwide census will also include the census of caste for the first time in seven decades. The step marks a major policy change, deciding with the Center to ensure transparency, national stability, and to address increasing demands for accurate caste data.Also Read: What is caste census, and why it matters – explainedUnion Minister Ashwini Vaishnav confirmed development during a cabinet briefing on 30 April, stating that the Cabinet Committee on political matters had approved the inclusion of caste data in the main census.Vaishnav further mentioned that the census is listed as a union subject in Article 246 of the Constitution, the states have taken various approaches for caste-based surveys. He said, “Some states have conducted transparent surveys, but others have not done. These discrepancies have raised doubts and may disturb social harmony,” he said. The minister said that the new decision will ensure that the social fabric of the country is preserved with political misuse.The upcoming caste census follows the years of political debate and delay decisions. The final national effort to collect caste-related data was in 2011 through the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) under the UPA Government. However, that data was never fully published or used, the same criticism from social workers and political parties. Castes in India were finally widely calculated under British rule between 1881 and 1931.Experts believe that fresh effort is important. “A caste census is important to highlight structural inequalities and design inclusive policies,” said Poonam Mutreza, Executive Director of India’s Population Foundation, spoke to PTI.
