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Census 2027: Caste Data After 1951, NRI Exclusion & Digital Enumeration for Lok Sabha Delimitation

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
20 May 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:20271.58 crore NRIs22 lakh (Kerala migrants)
Bodies:Office of the Registrar General and Census CommissionerMinistry of External Affairs
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What This Article Covers

1.The 2027 Census will be the first since 1951 to include caste data and will be conducted digitally via smartphones, with house listing already underway in some states.

2.The Census uses an 'extended de facto' method for counting population, which differs from voter registration rules, and will be the basis for the next delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies.

3.Key challenges include the exclusion of 1.58 crore NRIs (affecting states like Kerala), enumerator training for digital tools, respondent fatigue, and ensuring accuracy in self-enumeration.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The 2027 Census will be India's first fully digital enumeration, incorporating caste data for the first time since Independence. Its population figures will be used for the next Lok Sabha delimitation, raising critical questions about the exclusion of 1.58 crore Non-Resident Indians and the challenges of self-enumeration.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Census Year2027
Caste Data InclusionFirst time since Independence
NRI PopulationApprox. 1.58 crore
Enumeration MethodExtended De Facto
Delimitation UseLok Sabha & State Assembly seats

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Census Year: 2027
  • ›Caste Data Inclusion: First time since Independence
  • ›Target this Data: 1.58 crore (Approximate NRI population)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (Ministry of Home Affairs)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: No constitutional provision mandates de jure or de facto method for Census.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The decennial Census of India is conducted under the administrative control of which Union Ministry?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the upcoming 2027 Census:

1. It will be the first Census since Independence to include a question on caste.

2. Its population data will be used for the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies.

3. It will follow a pure 'de jure' method of enumeration, counting people at their permanent place of residence.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

As per the article, what is the approximate number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living abroad, according to the Ministry of External Affairs website?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a major implication of excluding Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from the Census count, as discussed in the article?

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