Census exercise to begin in 2025, no plan yet to include caste count: Sources

The Census exercise was last carried out in India in 2011. (Representational Image: Reuters)

The data for the decennial Census of India will be collected in 2025 and the report with its findings will be published in 2026, CNN-News18 reported citing highly placed government sources.

The sources further said that the delimitation process, which is contingent on Census data, will be taken up along with the publication of the Census data. The conclusion of the delimitation process, which is expected to add the number of Lok Sabha constituencies in the country, will also result in the implementation of 33 percent women's reservation that was cleared by the Parliament earlier this year.

The government is also trying to ensure that southern states like Tamil Nadu which followed a strict population control measures do not lose out in the delimitation exercise, the sources added.

Recently, states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have reversed their population control policies citing an ageing population and the risk of losing Lok Sabha seats as part during delimitation.

The Census, last recorded in India in 2011, was due to begin in 2021 but was delayed on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first cycle of Census will now be from 2025 to 2035 and then 2035 to 2045 and so on, if the process progresses as per the government's plans.

Despite pressure from several political quarters over the inclusion of a caste-based survey as part of the Census exercise, the Centre does not have any plans yet on allowing it, the report said.

The Census form currently carries data such as a citizen's name, details, family particulars. Besides, an individual also has the option to file religion details and whether he or she belongs to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe. In order to allow a caste count, the Census will have to include an additional column for individuals to mention their sect under the religion column.

The demand for a caste census has risen from several political quarters, including from parties aligned with the ruling NDA. The Congress, RJD and several other Opposition parties have been demanding that a caste census be undertaken.

Among BJP’s alliance partners, the JD(U) led by Nitish Kumar has already carried out the exercise in Bihar and backs the idea of a caste count. Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP, another NDA ally, has also spoken in favour of caste census and have also advocated the inclusion of a skills survey for the benefit of the youth.

Recently, the RSS also backed the idea of a caste census, provided it is not carried out with a view to gain political mileage.

The Centre is currently relying on Census data from 2011 for its policy formulation, implementation, and distribution of resources. As per the 2011 data, India’s population stands at 121.1 crore while its literacy stood at 74 percent. The literacy in males was 82 per cent whereas female literacy numbers were at 65%.

The religious demographics of the country in the 2011 Census showed Hindus at 79.8 percent, Muslims at 14.23 percent, Christians at 2.30 percent and Sikhs at 1.72 percent of India’s population.