India has officially announced the long-awaited census. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official notification on Monday under the Census Act, 1948, stating that the next census will be conducted in 2027.
New Delhi: After a long wait, the date for India's next census has been finalized. The Ministry of Home Affairs, issuing an official notification under the Census Act, 1948, has clarified that the census will be conducted in 2027. This notification is not merely a technical announcement but marks a new beginning in understanding the country's social, economic, and ethnic structure.
The census, originally planned for 2021 following the 2011 census, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After nearly 16 years, India will again undertake an official assessment of its population, considered crucial for policy formulation, resource allocation, and the implementation of government schemes.
March 1, 2027, Designated as Reference Date
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs' notification, midnight of March 1, 2027, will be considered the reference date for the census in most parts of the country. The census will record all individuals present in India and the prevailing circumstances on this date. However, for cold and inaccessible regions such as parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh, the date has been set as October 1, 2026. This decision has been made considering the geographical conditions and weather challenges in these areas.
Census to be Conducted in Two Phases
The entire census process will be completed in two major phases:
- House Listing Operation: This phase will involve creating a record of every house and the available amenities and assets within it. This will detail whether the house is pucca (permanent) or kaccha (temporary), the availability of water and electricity, and the presence of a toilet, etc.
- Population Enumeration: This phase will collect social, economic, ethnic, educational, religious, and cultural information on each individual. Data such as name, age, gender, language, religion, caste, education level, employment status, disability status, and marital status will be gathered.
Process to be Completed in 21 Months
- According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the entire census process will be completed in approximately 21 months.
- Preliminary data will be released in March 2027.
- Detailed data (including ethnic and socio-economic details) is planned for release by the end of 2027.
Focus on Caste Census
This census will place special emphasis on recording caste data. This step is considered crucial for social justice, as it will help ascertain the socio-economic status of various castes and classes. There has been a long-standing demand for a caste census, particularly from backward classes and social organizations. It is believed that this will aid in equitable distribution of reservations, policy-making, and resources.
