New Delhi:
The Government of India has officially announced that the next national population census will begin on March 1, 2027, and for the first time, it will include caste enumeration—a landmark move in India’s demographic and policy planning history.
According to a government notification released on Wednesday, the 2027 Census will be carried out in two phases, with March 1, 2027, set as the reference date for most regions. However, for snow-bound and non-synchronous areas such as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be October 1, 2026.
The formal Gazette notification signaling the start of this mega exercise is scheduled to be published on June 16, 2025.
🔍 Why This Census Matters
This will be the first time since Independence that caste data will be formally collected as part of the decennial Census, conducted under the Census Act of 1948 and Census Rules of 1990. The decision follows long-standing demands from various political parties and state governments seeking caste-based data to enhance social welfare programs, reservation policies, and targeted development initiatives.
The last census in 2011 recorded India’s population at over 121 crore, reflecting a growth rate of 17.7%. The 2021 Census was postponed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, despite extensive groundwork having been completed.
🧭 Delimitation Expected Post-Census
Once the 2027 Census is complete, the country is likely to undergo a delimitation exercise — the redrawing of Lok Sabha and state assembly constituencies based on the updated population figures. Though typically conducted after every census, delimitation has been frozen since 1976 to incentivize population control.
This freeze is set to expire in 2026, setting the stage for a full-scale realignment of constituencies post-census. Experts believe this could significantly alter parliamentary representation, particularly affecting the balance between northern and southern states.
⚖️ Regional Representation Concerns
The northern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, which have experienced faster population growth, could gain as many as 31 additional seats, whereas southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh may lose around 26 seats under current seat limits.
Even proposals to increase the total number of Lok Sabha seats — potentially to 848, as suggested by a 2019 report — would still favor northern states due to sheer population volume. This has raised alarms in the South, where leaders argue that economic contribution and development levels should also factor into representation.
For instance, Telangana holds just 2.8% of the population but contributes 5.2% to India’s GDP, highlighting the imbalance between headcount and economic output.
🏛️ Constitutional Amendments May Be Required
The new Parliament building, inaugurated in 2023, is designed to accommodate 888 Members of Parliament, hinting at a future increase in Lok Sabha seats. However, this would require a constitutional amendment, as the current cap is set at 550 seats.
