GS1The Hindu · Current Affairs
Test run for 2nd phase of Census has ‘open column’ to record caste
Census 2027 pre-test includes caste enumeration.
SP
Samachar Pathshala Desk
Published 7 Jul 2026 · 1 min
Ahead of India’s Population Census 2027, the second phase rehearsal—termed Population Enumeration (PE)—is underway in selected states and union territories.
The rehearsal includes an “open column” allowing respondents to write their caste, indicating how caste may be collected during the upcoming census.
Authorities clarified that this is a pre-test to gather feedback, and the final methodology will be finalized based on this exercise, which runs until July 20.
The UPSC angle
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Caste and Census in Demography
Understanding how caste enumeration impacts demographic data collection is critical for social policy analysis.
