Caste Census Dates Announced: Here's When It Will Begin in India!

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The long-awaited caste-based census in India finally has a scheduled date. The census will be conducted in two phases, with the first phase set to begin on October 1, 2026, and the second phase starting on March 1, 2027. The first phase will cover four states and union territories — Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir. This marks the first time in independent India's history that caste data will be officially collected alongside the national census.The Narendra Modi-led central government granted approval for this caste census last month, ending decades of demand from various political and social groups. Notably, India has not conducted a caste-based census since 1931. The national census, typically held every ten years, last took place in 2011. The 2021 census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.While Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and minorities have been counted in previous censuses, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) have not been separately enumerated. This lack of data has led to significant challenges in implementing effective reservation policies. In the absence of accurate population data, influential OBC groups have benefited disproportionately, while weaker communities within the OBC category have remained marginalized.

Several political parties argue that some OBC communities have grown socially and economically strong and should now be excluded from the reservation list. In 2017, the Rohini Commission was established to address this issue and recommended the creation of sub-categories within the OBCs to ensure more equitable distribution of benefits. However, the commission’s report has yet to be made public. With the announcement of this caste-based census, there is hope that the country will finally gain accurate and comprehensive data on all castes, which could pave the way for more inclusive and balanced social justice policies.