India, slated to execute its overdue census next year, sheds light on its significance: a comprehensive population count critical for resource allocation, policy-making, and decision-making at both national and local levels.
India Prepares for Its First Digital Census in 2027, Raising Controversy Over Caste Questions
Get ready for India's first digital census, scheduled for 2027. Say goodbye to traditional methods and welcome the age of efficiency and data accuracy. This monumental shift aims to leverage digital technology to collect and analyze data with unprecedented precision. The census will unfold in two phases, running until March 1, 2027[1][3]. The digital approach is just one piece in the puzzle of modernizing government operations and ensuring policies are grounded in up-to-date population data.
But it's not all smooth sailing. The inclusion of questions about caste in the census has stirred up controversy. For the first time since independence, India will systematically record the caste identities of individuals across all communities, not just the previously counted Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes[2][3]. This shift is fueled by mounting political pressure and the need for accurate data to inform reservation policies and welfare schemes[1]. However, the question of caste has always been a sensitive one, with successive governments resisting data collection due to fears of social unrest.
So why the sudden change of heart? Recent state-level surveys have revealed a substantial presence of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), prompting demands for a national census to update outdated figures[2]. Yet, the inclusion of caste questions is still a hotly debated topic due to the potential consequences it may have on India's socio-political fabric.
Behind the scenes, the digital census is part of a broader push to modernize government operations and ensure that policies are based on accurate and up-to-date population data. Beyond the census, the data will also facilitate a delimitation exercise after the census results are released, which involves redrawing constituency boundaries based on updated population figures[2][3]. This delimitation could have a significant impact on India's political landscape and governance, as it may require adjustments to the number of seats in the Lok Sabha.
So buckle up and get ready for India's digital census in 2027. Embrace the change or face the consequences — it's up to you. But remember, change isn't always easy, and it's certainly not without its challenges. Stay tuned for updates on this and other pressing issues facing India.
Sources:
- India's first digital census to be conducted in 2027, scheduled to conclude in March 2027
- Why India needs a caste census
- Why India's upper castes fear a mandatory caste census
The digital census in India, scheduled for 2027, is designed to revolutionize policy-and-legislation by collecting data with unparalleled precision. As part of this modernization, the census will record caste identities across all communities, stirring up debate in political circles. This move aims to provide accurate data for reservation policies and welfare schemes. However, the perception of potential social unrest persists, as it has for decades. Furthermore, the data from this census may influence the delimitation exercise, impacting the number of seats in the Lok Sabha, thus transforming the country's political landscape.
