Census 2027 Disability Question: Only 9 of 21 RPwD Act Conditions Included, Critics Warn of Undercount

RGI Adopts Open-Ended Caste Census Format; 46.7 Lakh Names Expected as in 2011

The Registrar General of India has decided to use an open-ended question for the caste census, avoiding a drop-down menu. This mirrors the 2011 SECC format that produced 46.7 lakh unverified caste names, raising concerns about data quality. The decision comes amid political pressure and RSS opposition to using state lists.

Census 2027 Enumerates Only 9 of 21 RPwD Act Disabilities; Rights Groups Demand Full Inclusion

Census 2027 has proposed only 9 disability categories for enumeration, while the RPwD Act 2016 recognizes 21 distinct disabilities. Rights groups argue this will render many persons with disabilities invisible in official statistics, affecting policy and budget allocations. The government claims the 9 broader categories cover specific disabilities and allow multiple disabilities recording.

Census 2027 Questionnaire: 14 New Questions, 8 Link to NPR, Trigger CAA-NRC Controversy

The Census 2027 questionnaire has reignited the CAA-NRC controversy by including 8 questions from the NPR schedule, raising concerns over privacy and citizenship verification. This is crucial for exams as it tests understanding of the NPR, NRC, CAA linkage, and constitutional provisions on citizenship.

Census 2027: 40 Questions Notified Including Caste, COVID Vaccination & ID Proofs Under Census Act 1948

The Union Government has notified 40 questions for Census 2027, marking the first enumeration of caste (beyond SC/ST) in Independent India. The questionnaire also collects Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, mobile number, bank account details, and COVID vaccination data, expanding the scope of the Population Enumeration exercise.

Centre Constitutes Pankaj Kumar Singh-led Committee for Gorkha Permanent Political Solution

After decades of demand for Gorkhaland statehood, the Union Home Ministry has set up a committee chaired by former Deputy NSA Pankaj Kumar Singh to finalise a 'permanent political solution' for the Darjeeling hills. The decision, announced at a meeting on August 22, 2026, comes when both Centre and West Bengal are under BJP rule, making it a politically opportune moment. The solution may involve creation of a separate state or Union Territory, with significant implications for West Bengal's integrity and India's strategic interests in the Siliguri Corridor.

PM Modi Announces Saptadhara Reforms: AI Skilling for 1 Crore Youth, 100 GW Nuclear Target by 2047

On the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi unveiled a seven-point reform framework called 'Saptadhara' covering manufacturing, agriculture, tech, defence, green economy, and soft power. He announced AI skilling for 1 crore youth in mission mode, free online coaching via DPI, and warned against 'dimagi Naxals' – ideological Maoists influencing policymaking. This speech directly addresses GenZ employment anxieties and national security threats.

FCRA Amendment Bill 2026: Govt to Drop Retrospective Clause, Likely Introduced August 12

The Centre has assured to drop the retrospective clause from the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, after concerns from Christian organisations. Mizoram CM Lalduhoma met Home Minister Amit Shah, who confirmed the clause will be removed, and the Bill is likely to be taken up in Lok Sabha on August 12.

Task Force Recommends Inflation-Adjusted Relief Hike, Counselling Under SC/ST Act

A government task force has recommended major changes to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, including inflation-indexed relief hikes, mandatory counselling, and 24-hour FIR reporting. Separately, the NCST has proposed legal safeguards to protect tribal livelihoods during land disputes and curb counter FIRs. These proposals are critical for aspirants as they touch upon the SC/ST Act, a high-yield topic for Prelims and Mains in Polity and Social Justice.