Census 2027 to record caste, Aadhaar for first time

The Union home ministry has notified the 40-question form for Census 2027, including comprehensive caste enumeration for the first time since 1931. The questionnaire also seeks Aadhaar, voter ID, passport and other digital details. The census will be conducted digitally, with a self-enumeration option.

Opposition leaders questioned the method. Congress's Jairam Ramesh said the government ignored the suggestion to use a state-wise pre-prepared list, as done in Bihar and Telangana. He cited a May 2025 letter from party president Mallikarjun Kharge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Deccan Herald questioned how reliable the caste data would be given multiple caste and sub-caste names.

The two-phase census has a reference date of March 1, 2027, except for snow-bound areas where enumeration starts September 2026. The notification was signed by Registrar General Mritunjay Kumar Narayan.