India's first digital census to begin in 2026, includes caste enumeration

The Union Home Ministry on Monday announced that India’s next population census will be conducted in two phases, beginning on October 1, 2026. This will be the first census since 2011, and also the first digital one in the country’s history.

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The first phase, called the Houselisting Operation (HLO), will collect information on household assets, income, living conditions, and amenities. For the first time, citizens will be allowed to submit responses digitally from their homes, aimed at improving accuracy and efficiency.

The second phase, the Population Enumeration (PE), will take place on March 1, 2027, and will involve detailed data collection on demographic, cultural, and socio-economic aspects of individuals across the country. Notably, caste-based data will also be recorded — marking the first such effort since India gained Independence.

The long-awaited announcement paves the way for key political reforms, especially the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill and the pending delimitation exercise. The Women’s Reservation Bill, which mandates one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, requires a census and subsequent delimitation before coming into effect.

Officials noted that preparations for the massive exercise are underway, and more details will be released in phases as the schedule approaches.