The Home Ministry notification issued under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 (37 of 1948), said, “A census of the population shall be undertaken during the year 2027.
New Delhi: In a significant development for the country, the Union Home Ministry led by Amit Shah issued the official notification for conducting the population census in the country. Most importantly, the 2027 Census will include humongous data collection, including the caste details, will be conducted in two phases, where the first phase will cover the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and two hilly states — Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand — beginning on October 1, 2026 and the second phase will start on March 1, 2027.
Home Ministry notification
As per a report carried by IANS news agency, the Home Ministry notification issued under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 (37 of 1948), said, “A census of the population shall be undertaken during the year 2027.
Reference date for 2027 India Census
The report also talks about the reference date of the census will shall be 00.00 hours of March 1, 2027, except for the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
“In respect of the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date shall be 00:00 hours of October 1, 2026,” it added.
2027 Census and Caste Data
Notably, this is the first time that caste enumeration will be made part of the mammoth Census exercise. The Centre, in a recent cabinet meeting, had given clearance for caste enumeration in the Census, reasoning that it would enable the Central government to frame policies with better precision and also make it target-oriented.
Congress vs BJP on Caste Census
The green light for caste-based Census also stirred political fight as the Congress claimed that the Modi government was forced to include its idea of social justice and social empowerment.
(With inputs from agencies)
