How will caste be recorded in second phase of Census 2027? | Explained
The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India has released a list of 40 questions for the second phase of the 2027 Census, known as Population Enumeration. This phase follows the ongoing Housing and House Listing Operations, which are nearing completion across most Indian states.
Why it matters
The inclusion of caste-related data in the census is a highly sensitive and significant policy issue in India, as it directly influences political representation, reservation quotas, and social welfare distribution.
The story so far: The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) on August 14, 2026, notified a set of 40 questions for Population Enumeration — the second phase of Census 2027.
The Population Census exercise is done in two phases: the Housing and House Listing Operations (HLO), and Population Enumeration, spanning over 11 months. The HLO phase is to be concluded by September 30 across the country. Barring few States such as West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Tamil Nadu, the HLO phase has been concluded elsewhere.
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