India’s upcoming Census 2027 is set to include questions related to nationality and caste, bringing these categories into focus in the country’s next population enumeration.

The inclusion of caste-related information is expected to make the exercise politically and socially significant, while questions concerning nationality could provide additional demographic data. The move comes ahead of the nationwide census exercise and is likely to generate debate over representation, social data and government policy.

India Census 2027: Caste & Nationality Questions Added | 40-Question Census Sparks Political Debate

Census 2027 to Include Questions About Nationality and Caste Included in Census

Days after the Centre approved the caste census, Bihar's Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and welcomed the decision, but has highlighted that this is "merely the first step." Stating that census data must lead to a "comprehensive review of social protection and reservation policies", he batted for inclusivity in the private sector.
"Conducting the caste census is merely the first step of the long journey towards social justice. The census data must lead to a comprehensive review of social protection and reservation policies. The arbitrary cap on reservations will also have to be reconsidered," he said in the letter.&nbsp;
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Yadav further stated, "The private sector, which has been a major beneficiary of public resources, cannot remain insulated from social justice imperatives. Companies have received substantial benefits...all funded by taxpayer money. In return, it is reasonable to expect them to reflect the social composition of our country."&nbsp;He added, "The context created by the caste census must be used to have open conversations about inclusivity and diversity in the private sector across organisational hierarchies."
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Criticising the NDA government for its delay in its decision on the caste census and its politics around the caste census in Bihar, he wrote: "For years, your government and the NDA alliance have dismissed calls for a caste census as divisive and unnecessary. When Bihar took the initiative to conduct its own caste survey, central authorities including the top law officer of the government and your party created obstacles at every step. Your party colleagues questioned the very necessity of such data collection."
"Your belated decision represents an acknowledgement of the groundswell of demands from the citizens who have long been relegated to the margins of our society."
The Leader of the Opposition in Bihar ended his letter to PM Modi by asking a question, "Will the data be used as a catalyst for systemic reforms, or will it be confined to dusty archives like many previous commission reports?..."
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<h2>Bihar Caste Census&nbsp;</h2>
The Bihar Assembly passed a unanimous resolution seeking a Caste Census across the country in February 2020, when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was the past of Mahagathbandhan government. Later, the Mahagathbandhan government went ahead to hold a statewide caste survey on its own. Its findings, released on October 2, 2023, showed that the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) together constituted more than 63% of the population of Bihar.
putting his weight behind it. Despite the Centre dithering on the issue then, in Bihar even the BJP was part of the delegation that met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021 to seek a nationwide caste count. In absolute numbers, it put Bihar&rsquo;s population at 13.07 crore, and put the OBCs at 3.54 crore (27 per cent) and the EBCs at 4.7 crore (36 per cent).&nbsp;
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India News | Days after the Centre approved the caste census, Bihar's Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and welcomed the decision.

Days after the Centre approved the caste census, Bihar's Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and welcomed the decision, but has highlighted that this is "merely the first step." Stating that census data must lead to a "comprehensive review of social protection and reservation policies", he batted for inclusivity in the private sector. "Conducting the caste census is merely the first step of the long journey towards social justice. The census data must lead to a comprehensive review of social protection and reservation policies. The arbitrary cap on reservations will also have to be reconsidered," he said in the letter. Read More | Australia Elections: Contest between PM Anthony and rival Dutton intensifies Yadav further stated, "The private sector, which has been a major beneficiary of public resources, cannot remain insulated from social justice imperatives. Companies have received substantial benefits...all funded by taxpayer money. In return, it is reasonable to expect them to reflect the social composition of our country." He added, "The context created by the caste census must be used to have open conversations about inclusivity and diversity in the private sector across organisational hierarchies." Read More | Australia Elections: LNC leader Dutton slams labor party for 'bad governance' Criticising the NDA government for its delay in its decision on the caste census and its politics around the caste census in Bihar, he wrote: "For years, your government and the NDA alliance have dismissed calls for a caste census as divisive and unnecessary. When Bihar took the initiative to conduct its own caste survey, central authorities including the top law officer of the government and your party created obstacles at every step. Your party colleagues questioned the very necessity of such data collection." "Your belated decision represents an acknowledgement of the groundswell of demands from the citizens who have long been relegated to the margins of our society." The Leader of the Opposition in Bihar ended his letter to PM Modi by asking a question, "Will the data be used as a catalyst for systemic reforms, or will it be confined to dusty archives like many previous commission reports?..." Read More | '-87 degree celcius': NASA's James Webb Telescope discovers coldest ever exoplanet in 'forbidden zone' Bihar Caste Census The Bihar Assembly passed a unanimous resolution seeking a Caste Census across the country in February 2020, when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was the past of Mahagathbandhan government. Later, the Mahagathbandhan government went ahead to hold a statewide caste survey on its own. Its findings, released on October 2, 2023, showed that the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) together constituted more than 63% of the population of Bihar. putting his weight behind it. Despite the Centre dithering on the issue then, in Bihar even the BJP was part of the delegation that met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021 to seek a nationwide caste count. In absolute numbers, it put Bihar’s population at 13.07 crore, and put the OBCs at 3.54 crore (27 per cent) and the EBCs at 4.7 crore (36 per cent). Read More | India: Congress-RJD leaders assemble in Delhi, Bihar polls in focus

Reservation in private sector? Bihar's Tejashwi Yadav writes to PM Modi about caste census: 'Merely the first step'

The Union government on Wednesday (Apr 30) announced that caste-based enumeration will be part of the next Census. The decision came following a cabinet committee on political affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Caste Census India: PM Modi's Government Changes Course To Take The Big Step

The caste census report in Karnataka, a Congress-ruled state, presented in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, recommends increasing reservation in education and employment for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the state from 32 per cent to 51 per cent. Implementation of the recommendation would raise total reservation in the state to 85 per cent, after adding 10 per cent for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and 24 per cent for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST).&nbsp; The commission has also advised the Siddaramaiah government to implement horizontal reservation within employment quotas.
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The panel&rsquo;s proposal is based on the findings of a recent caste survey, which estimated the population of backward classes in the state at nearly 70 per cent.&nbsp; Referring to this data, the report contends that increasing reservation in proportion to the population is necessary for equitable distribution of government benefits and opportunities. &ldquo;Although the population of backward classes has increased by 69.6 per cent from the survey, the present commission has observed that even half of the population in the state of Karnataka does not have the reservation. If reservation is not given to backward classes on the basis of population, government facilities will not be distributed equally,&rdquo; the panel said. Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-of-georgia-introduces-bill-to-recognise-hinduphobia-and-anti-hindu-prejudice-8952805" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US' State of Georgia introduces bill to recognise Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu prejudice</a> The Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the caste census, was submitted in February 2024 but was presented before the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday. The state cabinet will discuss the report in a special meeting on April 17 before taking a decision on adopting the recommendations. In 2014, during his first tenure as CM, Siddaramaiah had ordered the Karnataka Socio-Economic and Educational Census, and a committee headed by then Backward Classes Commission chairman, H Kantharaju, conducted a survey at a cost of around Rs 169 crore, but its report was put in cold storage. Opposition parties, the BJP and JD(S), have opposed the implementation of the report. Major caste groups&mdash;the Lingayats and Vokkaligas&mdash;alleged the report has done injustice to them in terms of their population representation.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-78-to-undergo-checkup-says-never-felt-better-will-his-reports-be-made-public-8951391" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Trump, 78, to undergo checkup, says &lsquo;never felt better&rsquo;; will his reports be made public?</a> Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka assembly, R Ashoka, said the caste census report prepared by the Siddaramaiah government was not scientific. &ldquo;The people conducting the caste census did not visit every household. This report was prepared under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah&rsquo;s instructions. Since it has political motives, no one will accept it. I, too, am saying that a caste census should be conducted. But this report was designed to sow discord among castes for someone&rsquo;s benefit,&rdquo; Ashoka said. Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/father-son-duo-among-3-killed-in-west-bengal-as-protest-against-new-waqf-law-turns-violent-8955166" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">3 killed in West Bengal as protests against Waqf law turn violent; Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces</a> Siddaramaiah said the caste census was conducted scientifically and his government would implement it. &ldquo;We have accepted the caste census report and will certainly implement it in the coming days. There is no doubt regarding this,&rdquo; he said.

India News: The panel’s proposal is based on the findings of a recent caste survey, which estimated the population of backward classes in the state at nearly 70 per cent.

The caste census report in Karnataka, a Congress-ruled state, presented in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, recommends increasing reservation in education and employment for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the state from 32 per cent to 51 per cent. Implementation of the recommendation would raise total reservation in the state to 85 per cent, after adding 10 per cent for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and 24 per cent for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST). The commission has also advised the Siddaramaiah government to implement horizontal reservation within employment quotas. Also Read | Indian pharma warehouse in Ukraine hit by Russian missile: Ukrainian embassy The panel’s proposal is based on the findings of a recent caste survey, which estimated the population of backward classes in the state at nearly 70 per cent. Referring to this data, the report contends that increasing reservation in proportion to the population is necessary for equitable distribution of government benefits and opportunities. “Although the population of backward classes has increased by 69.6 per cent from the survey, the present commission has observed that even half of the population in the state of Karnataka does not have the reservation. If reservation is not given to backward classes on the basis of population, government facilities will not be distributed equally,” the panel said. Also Read | US' State of Georgia introduces bill to recognise Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu prejudice The Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the caste census, was submitted in February 2024 but was presented before the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday. The state cabinet will discuss the report in a special meeting on April 17 before taking a decision on adopting the recommendations. In 2014, during his first tenure as CM, Siddaramaiah had ordered the Karnataka Socio-Economic and Educational Census, and a committee headed by then Backward Classes Commission chairman, H Kantharaju, conducted a survey at a cost of around Rs 169 crore, but its report was put in cold storage. Opposition parties, the BJP and JD(S), have opposed the implementation of the report. Major caste groups—the Lingayats and Vokkaligas—alleged the report has done injustice to them in terms of their population representation. Also Read | Trump, 78, to undergo checkup, says ‘never felt better’; will his reports be made public? Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka assembly, R Ashoka, said the caste census report prepared by the Siddaramaiah government was not scientific. “The people conducting the caste census did not visit every household. This report was prepared under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s instructions. Since it has political motives, no one will accept it. I, too, am saying that a caste census should be conducted. But this report was designed to sow discord among castes for someone’s benefit,” Ashoka said. Also Read | 3 killed in West Bengal as protests against Waqf law turn violent; Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces Siddaramaiah said the caste census was conducted scientifically and his government would implement it. “We have accepted the caste census report and will certainly implement it in the coming days. There is no doubt regarding this,” he said.

Karnataka caste census panel recommends increasing OBC quota from 32% to 51%, stirs debate

A long-awaited caste census report has been finally submitted to the cabinet in the south Indian state of Karnataka. The state cabinet will hold a special meeting on the 17th of April to hold the detailed discussions to take a final view on the findings of the report.

India: Karnataka cabinet approves caste survey report for further discussion on April 17

e Karnataka cabinet is expected to take up the much-delayed caste census report for discussion today, a move that has triggered intense curiosity and anticipation across the state. The report, known officially as the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, has been at the center of political and social debates for years.

India: Karnataka cabinet to take up long-delayed caste census report on Friday

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NDA and opposition alliance get ready to rake up Parliament with key bills and issues like Manipur violence. Central government approaches parties to seek cooperation for a smooth session until December 20. INDIA bloc to finalise strategy on key bills like Wakf, Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, the Disaster Management Bill and others. Bloc has recently faced a massive setback in key assembly elections. Watch to know more!

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The Indian government has started the exercise to conduct the long-delayed population census and an announcement regarding the matter is expected soon, according to a report in TOI. 

The centre is also believed to be keeping an 'open mind' to the idea of adding a caste column to the census, owing to the demand of the opposition parties.&nbsp;

The once-in-a-decade census was to be completed in 2021 but got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time the census data was published was in 2011.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Work on holding the census is already on and a decision in this regard is likely soon," a senior government functionary was quoted as saying by the publication.&nbsp;

"This (caste count) is yet to be decided," the official added.&nbsp;

The last time a census featured a caste column was way back in 1931. However, the government stopped the exercise after independence.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bihar-caste-survey-what-are-the-findings-and-political-reactions-642207">Watch |&nbsp;Bihar Caste Survey: What are the findings and political reactions?</a>

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<h2>Caste census&nbsp;</h2>

Apart from opposition leaders with Indian National Congress (INC) leader Rahul Gandhi being the most vocal voice, some allies of&nbsp;the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party&nbsp;(BJP) have also demanded caste census.

At the first meeting of the parliamentary panel on the welfare of OBCs last month, BJP ally Janata Dal (United) raised the demand for a caste census. JDU leader and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had ordered a caste-based survey and its findings were made public last year.

Notably, most MPs in the panel, with maximum members from BJP, remained 'silent' and 'did not oppose the demand'.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-led-nda-govt-in-india-to-implement-one-nation-one-election-within-its-current-tenure-report-758896">Also read |&nbsp;NDA govt to implement ‘One Nation, One Election’ in India during current term: Report</a>

This census exercise will be the first digital one, giving citizens the opportunity to self-enumerate. National Population Register (NPR) has been made compulsory for citizens who want to exercise the right to fill out the census form on their own rather than through government enumerators.

The survey will take around 18 months to complete once it starts. According to reports, the&nbsp;Ministry of Home Affairs, which takes the lead in conducting the&nbsp;census, and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation have drawn up a timeline and are aiming to release results by March 2026, covering a period of 15 years.

The critics have argued that the delay in the census&nbsp;impacts the quality of many other statistical surveys, including economic data, inflation, and job estimates.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Indian government has started the exercise to conduct the long-delayed population census and an announcement regarding the matter is expected soon, according to a report in TOI.

The Indian government has started the exercise to conduct the long-delayed population census and an announcement regarding the matter is expected soon, according to a report in TOI. The centre is also believed to be keeping an 'open mind' to the idea of adding a caste column to the census, owing to the demand of the opposition parties. The once-in-a-decade census was to be completed in 2021 but got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time the census data was published was in 2011. "Work on holding the census is already on and a decision in this regard is likely soon," a senior government functionary was quoted as saying by the publication. "This (caste count) is yet to be decided," the official added. The last time a census featured a caste column was way back in 1931. However, the government stopped the exercise after independence. Watch | Bihar Caste Survey: What are the findings and political reactions? × Caste census Apart from opposition leaders with Indian National Congress (INC) leader Rahul Gandhi being the most vocal voice, some allies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have also demanded caste census. At the first meeting of the parliamentary panel on the welfare of OBCs last month, BJP ally Janata Dal (United) raised the demand for a caste census. JDU leader and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had ordered a caste-based survey and its findings were made public last year. Notably, most MPs in the panel, with maximum members from BJP, remained 'silent' and 'did not oppose the demand'. Also read | NDA govt to implement ‘One Nation, One Election’ in India during current term: Report This census exercise will be the first digital one, giving citizens the opportunity to self-enumerate. National Population Register (NPR) has been made compulsory for citizens who want to exercise the right to fill out the census form on their own rather than through government enumerators. The survey will take around 18 months to complete once it starts. According to reports, the Ministry of Home Affairs, which takes the lead in conducting the census, and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation have drawn up a timeline and are aiming to release results by March 2026, covering a period of 15 years. The critics have argued that the delay in the census impacts the quality of many other statistical surveys, including economic data, inflation, and job estimates. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian government initiates process for delayed population census, may include caste column: Report

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday (Sep 2) backed the demand for caste census, stressing that it should be approached with utmost seriousness rather than being used for electoral or political purposes.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday (Sep 2) backed the demand for caste census, stressing that it should be approached with utmost seriousness rather than being used for electoral or political purposes. 'Important issue of our national unity and integrity' Sunil Ambekar, the chief spokesperson of the RSS, said, “In our Hindu society, we have the sensitive issue of our caste and caste relations. Of course, it is an important issue of our national unity and integrity. It should be dealt with very seriously, not based on electioneering or election practices or politics." 'Should be handled with care' He added that while the government may require accurate caste data to better support these communities, the RSS believes this practice must be approached with care. “RSS believes that while the government may need precise caste numbers to effectively address the welfare of these communities, this practice, though previously implemented, should be handled with care. The focus should remain on genuine upliftment and support rather than being manipulated for political advantage,” he added. Highlighting the potential risks of using caste data irresponsibly, he said, “This caution is crucial to ensure that caste issues are treated with the seriousness they deserve, without reducing them to mere elements of electoral strategy.” Congress' demand for caste census Meanwhile, the Congress party has been actively advocating for a caste census, having included it in its Lok Sabha election manifesto. The party pledged to conduct a nationwide socio-economic and caste census to identify the castes, sub-castes, and their socio-economic conditions. Also read: India: 2 pilgrims killed in landslide on Vaishno Devi route in Jammu & Kashmir Congress also promised to push for a constitutional amendment to increase the 50 per cent reservation cap for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Regarding the Supreme Court’s suggestion to exclude the creamy layer from reservations, the RSS reiterated its consistent support for constitutional reservation and acknowledged that the court’s observations are sensitive. “The RSS continues to work towards fostering Hindu unity and, by extension, national unity, and integrity. The organisation firmly upholds the values enshrined in the Constitution, particularly those of justice, equality, and fraternity, which are essential to ensuring national cohesion," he said. Fraternity, in the context of national integrity, is crucial, and the RSS stresses the importance of Constitutional reservations in maintaining social balance. The RSS has always supported the system of reservations as a means of addressing historical inequalities and promoting inclusivity,” Ambekar added. (With inputs from agencies)

RSS backs caste census but warns against its use for ‘political advantage’

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