Census 2027: Congress Raps Centre Over Caste Enumeration Format

NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Friday questioned the Union government's approach to caste enumeration in the upcoming Census 2027, expressing “serious doubts on intent” over the decision not to provide a pre-prepared list of castes for respondents to choose from. The party also alleged that political parties had not been consulted on the questionnaire.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh, said it was widely expected that the caste question would include a state-wise list, similar to the caste surveys conducted in Bihar and Telangana, with respondents required to tick the appropriate option. “This has, unfortunately, not happened, raising serious doubts on intent,” Ramesh said in a post on X.

Ramesh also shared Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's May 5, 2025 letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the caste census, stating that Kharge's “very first and fundamental suggestion” had been ignored. Kharge had urged the government to draw on the Telangana caste survey model while finalising the Census questionnaire and had also called for consultations with all political parties. He argued that caste data should not be collected merely for counting communities but should help achieve wider socio-economic objectives.

The Centre on Friday notified 40 questions to be asked during the population enumeration phase of Census 2027, including questions on caste and the place of Covid vaccination, according to news agency ANI. A government notification said respondents would be asked whether they belonged to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe and, separately, about their caste. Sources said the questionnaire is unlikely to carry a pre-prepared list of castes, with responses instead being recorded as provided by respondents.

This will be the first time caste details are being collected as part of the decennial Census since India's Independence. The move comes after years of demand from various political and social groups for a caste count to inform policy on affirmative action and social justice. In recent years, states like Bihar and Telangana have conducted their own caste surveys, providing models that many have urged the central government to follow.

The Congress's criticism highlights a growing political contestation over the methodology and purpose of caste enumeration. While the government has maintained that the Census is a comprehensive exercise to gather demographic and socio-economic data, opposition parties have demanded transparency and inclusiveness in the process, especially given the sensitive nature of caste-related data.

At the time of writing, the Union government had not yet responded to the Congress's allegations. The questionnaire's final format is expected to be reviewed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees the Census operations, before the enumeration phase begins in 2027.

Political analysts say the controversy reflects deeper divisions over how caste data should be collected and used. Some argue that a pre-prepared list would ensure accuracy and ease of tabulation, while others contend that allowing respondents to self-identify is more democratic and avoids the risk of misclassification. The debate also touches on constitutional principles of equality and the need for targeted policies to address historical disadvantages.

As the Census 2027 process moves forward, the question of caste enumeration is likely to remain a contentious issue. The Congress has insisted that the government must listen to opposition concerns and adopt a consultative approach, echoing Kharge's earlier demand. Whether the Centre will make any changes to the questionnaire remains to be seen.