Caste enumeration returns in India Census 2027: Congress sparks social justice debate

India's 2027 Census will mark the return of caste enumeration after a 16-year gap, a move that has reignited debates on social justice and political agendas.

The census, scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026, in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, and on March 1, 2027, in the rest of the country, will be conducted in two phases: the House Listing Operation (HLO) and Population Enumeration (PE).

"The Census would be conducted in two phases — House Listing Operation (HLO) where, the housing conditions, assets and amenities of each household will be collected, and Population Enumeration (PE), which would capture the demographic, socio-economic, cultural and other details of every person in each household," officials explained.

The government announced caste enumeration will be included for the first time since 2011, with about 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors and 1.3 lakh census functionaries equipped with digital devices to carry out the massive exercise.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reviewed preparations, emphasizing the census's importance under the Census Act of 1948.

The Congress party has sparked political debate by claiming the Modi government was compelled to adopt its social justice and empowerment agenda through this inclusion.

"The green light for caste-based Census also stirred political fight as the Congress claimed that the Modi government was forced to include its idea of social justice and social empowerment," reports noted.

This census follows the postponement of the 2021 enumeration due to the pandemic, making the 2027 exercise the first comprehensive population count in over a decade.

The inclusion of caste data is expected to influence policy-making and resource allocation, highlighting the ongoing significance of caste in India's socio-political landscape.

The census's phased approach and digital methodology aim to ensure accurate and comprehensive data collection across diverse regions, including snow-bound areas like Ladakh.

Overall, the 2027 Census represents a critical juncture in India's demographic documentation and social justice discourse.

India's 2027 Census will include caste enumeration for the first time in 16 years, reigniting social justice debates. The Congress party claims the Modi government adopted its social empowerment agenda. The census begins October 1, 2026, with 34 lakh enumerators collecting demographic and socio-economic data nationwide.