2027 Census Goes Digital: India to Conduct First Caste Count Since 1931

• The 2027 Census has been approved, postponed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• It will be fully digital, utilizing tablets/apps and offering a 'self-enumeration' option for citizens.
• For the first time since 1931, caste enumeration will be included, providing crucial data for social policies.
• GPS mapping will be used for accurate household identification, and the census will serve as a basis for Lok Sabha seat delimitation.
• Preparations for the census will begin in 2026, with the main enumeration starting on March 1, 2027.

Why It Matters: The 2027 digital census with caste data will reshape India's policies and political landscape.