GNV News – April 4, 2026

On April 1, the Indian government launched one of the world’s largest national censuses in a country of 1.4 billion people.

The previous census was conducted in 2011, and the next one was scheduled for 2021, ten years later. However, it was postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, and is now being carried out at this time.

Specifically, a two-stage survey is planned. In the first stage, questions will be asked about home ownership and access to basic necessities such as fuel, water, electricity, the internet, and transportation. Then, as the second stage, socio-economic information will be collected regarding education, migration, and birth rates.

In this census, digitization is being promoted, and the results are scheduled to be compiled by the end of March 2027.

As part of this digitization, individuals can self-report online and, when visited by enumerators, share their data via an app, which is expected to make the process faster. The app supports 16 languages, works even without an internet connection, and can be used in rural and remote areas.

In this census, for the first time in 96 years, questions regarding caste within Hinduism will be included.

In the background to this, the 1950 Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination based on caste, and the Indian government has implemented affirmative action in employment and education for groups of people who were in a lower position in the caste system. However, in reality, social discrimination and exclusion still persist. Through this census, it is hoped that the detailed structure of the caste system will be clarified, and that it will provide data for examining the issues tied to each group and how to address them.

Learn more about reporting on India → “Great Power India: How Is It Reported?”

Learn more about citizenship in India → “Four Million Erased: India’s Citizenship Problem”

(Screenshot from the Indian government’s census website)