Census 2027: India's First Fully Digital Census with Self-Enumeration Starting April 1, 2026, Under MHA

Ladakh to Lead Independent India's First Caste Enumeration in Census 2027

Ladakh will pilot the first-ever caste enumeration in Independent India during the second phase of Census 2027 starting August 17. This open-ended caste data collection on 40 parameters could reshape reservation policies and social justice debates. Critical for understanding how census data informs governance and affirmative action.

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.

SC Upholds EC's SIR, Citizenship Under MHA; 13 Crore Deletions, Aadhaar Alternative Proposed

The Supreme Court upheld the EC's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which deleted over 13 crore names, but clarified that citizenship determination is solely under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This raises critical debates on voter rights, due process, and the viability of Aadhaar-based verification as a cost-effective, inclusive alternative to house-to-house surveys.

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.

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.

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.

RG&CCI Notifies 40 Questions for Census 2027 Population Enumeration with 13 New Data Fields

The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) has notified 40 questions for the Population Enumeration phase of Census 2027, including 13 new data fields compared to 2011. This update is crucial for aspirants as census data directly impacts policy formulation, reservation quotas, and electoral delimitation – a hot topic for Prelims and Mains.

NMC Proposes UID for Doctors: Single Licence Valid Across India Under Draft 2026 Regulations

The NMC has proposed a system where doctors registered with a State Medical Council and allotted a UID in the National Medical Register can practise across India without separate state licences. This reform aims to reduce regulatory barriers for medical professionals and enhance transparency through a unified digital portal.