India to Launch First Digital Caste Census Nationwide from March 1, 2027

The Indian government has announced that the next national census will commence on March 1, 2027, and will include caste enumeration for the first time since 1931.

The census will be conducted in two phases, with an earlier start in snow-bound regions like Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand from October 1, 2026.

This decision, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, aims to provide comprehensive data to inform social welfare policies and affirmative action programs.

The census will be carried out under the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990, ensuring confidentiality and data protection.

According to officials, Census 2027 will also be the first digital census.