Now Reading: Centre releases Rs 4,102 crore to states for Census 2027 preparations
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Centre releases Rs 4,102 crore to states for Census 2027 preparations
The Union government has released Rs 4,102 crore to states and Union Territories for training, manpower, and technical infrastructure for Census 2027, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the Rajya Sabha on…
The Story in Brief
The Union government has released Rs 4,102 crore to states and Union Territories for training, manpower, and technical infrastructure for Census 2027, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the first phase, the Houselisting and Housing Census, is complete in 31 states and UTs, with the rest finishing by September 2026. The second phase, Population Enumeration, begins on September 1, 2026, in Ladakh and snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. For the first time, respondents can also self-enumerate online from August 17 to 31.
Rai confirmed that comprehensive caste enumeration will be part of the second phase, using an open-ended column. The exercise is India's first census relying heavily on digital tools, though enumerators will still visit homes. The government has spent Rs 11,718.24 crore on the entire exercise.
The Indian Opinion
The decision to enumerate caste after decades is being painted as either a masterstroke of social justice or a divisive move. The truth is simpler: without a count, targeted schemes remain guesswork. The real test is not whether caste is asked, but whether the data is ever published in time for policymaking. Watch if the government tables the caste tables before the 2029 general election, that will settle the sincerity question.
Sources (2): newindianexpress.com, livemint.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
