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7 July 2026

Census 2027 caste enumeration rehearsal

The Census is a foundational national exercise, and the methodological shift toward caste enumeration is a major policy development with significant implications for social justice, reservation policy, and Indian societal structure.

1 min read Day 1 of 18 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • The rehearsal for the second phase of the 2027 Census (Population Enumeration) is currently underway in 16 States and Union Territories.
  • The exercise features an 'open column' for respondents to record their caste, marking a significant methodological shift.
  • The 2027 Census will be the first in Independent India to enumerate caste beyond the existing practice of recording only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
  • Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will continue to be enumerated using established lists and codes.
  • The 'open column' approach allows residents to self-report their caste, which is then recorded by enumerators.
  • Historical context: The 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) also used an open column, which resulted in over 46 lakh distinct caste names, leading to concerns regarding data reliability.
  • The final methodology for the 2027 Census will be determined based on feedback from the current pre-test, which concludes on July 20.
  • The Population Enumeration phase is scheduled for February 2027, with specific exceptions for snowbound regions in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

Part of a longer story

This is day 1 of 18 in Caste enumeration in Census 2027, which has been running since 7 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Discuss the methodological challenges associated with caste enumeration in a diverse society like India, with reference to the lessons learned from previous socio-economic surveys. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The inclusion of caste data in the national census is a subject of significant administrative and sociological debate. Analyze the implications of using an 'open column' methodology for caste enumeration versus a pre-defined list approach in the context of data accuracy and social policy formulation. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following statements best describes the methodology being tested for caste enumeration in the 2027 Census rehearsal?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-07/census-2027-caste-enumeration-rehearsal