Caste Census: The methodology, challenges, and the road ahead | Explained
The Indian government has begun a pre-test for the 2027 Census, which includes an open column for caste enumeration for the first time since 1931. This move follows significant political pressure from opposition parties and internal demands to count caste-wise population data.
Why it matters
Caste-based data is a highly sensitive and politically charged issue in India that influences reservation policies, social welfare distribution, and electoral strategies.
The story so far: The rehearsal or the “pre-test” of the second phase of Census , which started in 16 States and Union Territories on July 6, 2026, has an “open column” for respondents to record their castes, several officials involved in the exercise told The Hindu . The pre-test is on till July 20, 2026 and the outcome will decide how independent India enumerates caste for the first time as part of the Census exercise. Other than Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), caste-wise population has not been enumerated in Independent India, the last time such data was collected was in 1931.
The article provides a factual overview of the census process and political developments without taking a stance on the necessity or impact of the caste count.
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