Caste census returns to India after 95 years:5 poll-bound states, including UP Punjab, excluded for now; rest of states to conduct it from Jan 25 to Feb 28

The second and most important phase of the Census — the population enumeration — is set to begin across the country on 25 January and will continue until 28 February 2027. A total of 40 questions will be asked. The biggest development is that caste will be counted for the first time since 1931, after a gap of 95 years. The first phase, house-listing, was completed in June 2026. According to the government notification, people can also submit their details themselves through an online portal between 10 and 24 January 2027. This will be India’s first digital Census. According to the government, the Census will be conducted across the country, except in snowbound areas and states where Assembly elections may be held in early 2027. The reference date will be midnight on 1 March 2027. The Census will not be conducted in Manipur, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand, where Assembly elections may be held in early 2027. Snowbound regions, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, will also be excluded. Where will the Census not be conducted? – Manipur: The Census has been postponed indefinitely until further orders due to the ongoing ethnic violence and President’s Rule. The situation in the state has yet to return to normal. – Four poll-bound states: The Census will be conducted later in Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand, where Assembly elections are scheduled for early 2027. Staff will be deployed for election duties, so the Census will take place after the polls. Snowbound areas to be covered later: Ladakh: The entire Union Territory will be covered later. Himachal Pradesh: Snowbound, non-synchronous areas, including Lahaul and Spiti and the higher reaches of Kinnaur. – Snowbound areas of Jammu and Kashmir: Roads in these areas remain blocked by snow during January and February. The Census will therefore be conducted during the summer months (September–October 2027). These regions are known as snowbound non-synchronous areas. The process will be completed in three steps The Office of the Registrar General of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued the order under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948. Around 30 lakh enumerators and supervisors will collect data using tablets and mobile applications. The process will involve three steps: Self-enumeration: People can choose to fill in their details online themselves. Household visit: An enumerator will visit their homes to collect the information. Revision round: A five-day revision round will be conducted to ensure that no one is left out.