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, but 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, in the second stage, socio-economic information will be collected on education, migration, and fertility.

This census will be digitized, with the results expected to be compiled by the end of March 2027.

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

In this census, for the first time in 96 years, questions about the Hindu caste system have been added.

In the background, the 1950 Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination based on caste, and the Indian government has implemented affirmative action in employment and education for caste groups that historically occupied a lower position in the caste hierarchy. However, in reality, social discrimination and exclusion still persist. Through this census, it is hoped that the details of the caste system will be clarified, and that the resulting data can be used to examine the issues facing each group and appropriate responses.

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

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

(Screenshot from the Indian government’s census website)