The Government of India is set to resume the long-delayed national census, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a significant move, the central government has also announced plans to conduct a nationwide caste-based census, a step not taken since 1931.
New Delhi – The Indian government has officially decided to restart the Census of India, marking a crucial development in demographic and policy planning. This will be the first census since 2011, as the scheduled 2021 edition was postponed due to the pandemic.
Alongside the standard enumeration process, the Centre has confirmed that a caste census will also be undertaken, covering all states. The decision holds historical significance, as India has not conducted a comprehensive caste-based census since 1931, except for limited data collected under the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) in 2011, which was not made public in full.
The census will gather detailed data on population, age, gender, occupation, literacy, housing, and socio-economic status, with caste-specific data collection aimed at informing welfare schemes, reservation policies, and inclusive governance.
Officials state that this dual enumeration—general and caste-based—will help create a more accurate profile of India’s demographic and social structure. The announcement has already sparked political responses, with some parties welcoming the move as a step towards social justice, while others warn of potential divisiveness.
