- India will begin its national census on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, involving over three million officials in the world’s largest counting exercise.
- For the first time since 1931, the census will include a comprehensive count of caste, a move expected to influence future policy and social resource allocation.
- This is India’s first census in 15 years, following the postponement of the 2021 round due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
India is preparing to undertake a historic $1.24 billion national census starting this Wednesday.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the exercise aims to provide an accurate count of the nation’s population, which the United Nations estimated surpassed 1.42 billion in 2023.
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Government officials have described the project as a “gigantic exercise of national importance” essential for evidence-based policy formulation and inclusive governance.
The census will be conducted in two distinct phases. The first phase, running from April to September 2026, will focus on housing and amenities.
This stage will utilize a mix of door-to-door visits and a digital app available in 16 languages, leveraging satellite imagery for precision.
The second phase will delve into demographic, social, and economic data, including the highly sensitive recording of caste.
The inclusion of caste data marks a significant shift in Indian census policy.
While caste remains a primary determinant of social status and access to resources, comprehensive data has not been officially collected or published as part of a census since British colonial rule.
Authorities have historically resisted this count due to the logistical complexity and the potential for heightening social tensions.
Logistically, the exercise faces immense hurdles, particularly in megacities already struggling with overcrowding and resource shortages.
To account for varying climates, enumeration in high-altitude Himalayan regions like Jammu and Kashmir will be completed before October 2026 to avoid the winter snowfall.
For the rest of the country, the population count will lead up to a reference date of March 1, 2027.
The results of this census are expected to be a critical tool for the Indian government as it manages the demands of a population that has grown significantly from the 1.21 billion recorded in 2011.
The data will likely shape the distribution of food, electricity, and housing for the next decade.
