The long-delayed Census 2021, which has been on hold since 2020, is expected to resume in 2025, according to sources speaking to TOI. The updated population figures from this census will serve as the foundation for delimiting parliamentary and assembly constituencies after 2026, including the allocation of reserved seats for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, anticipated in 2027-28.
If the traditional ten-year cycle continues, the next censuses will likely occur in 2035, 2045, and beyond. However, there remains uncertainty regarding demands for a caste census, made by allies like JD(U) and TDP, as well as opposition parties, concerning its inclusion in the house-listing schedule. The house-listing schedule for Census 2021, announced in January 2020, consists of 31 fields but does not include ‘caste.’
While there were earlier indications that a decision on the census would come soon, the schedule for updating the National Population Register (NPR), intended to coincide with the initial phase of Census house-listing, has yet to be announced. Additionally, the timeline for the second phase of Census 2021, which involves population enumeration, remains unclear.
According to the 84th amendment of the Constitution of India, delimitation of parliamentary and assembly seats is frozen until 2026, requiring the next delimitation to rely on data from the first census conducted post-2026. If the census begins in 2025 and releases figures by March 2026, it may not meet this requirement unless the 84th amendment is revised, as noted by a former officer from the Office of Registrar General of India (ORGI).
The deadline for finalizing the boundaries of administrative units—like districts and villages—was repeatedly extended after the Census 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, no new extension order has been issued since June 30, 2024.
Typically, the census preparatory process, which includes house-listing and housing phases, occurs between April 1 and September 30, followed by the population enumeration in February of the following year, starting with a pre-test the year before. The pre-test for Census 2021 was conducted in August-September 2019.
“This upcoming census will be the first to implement digital innovations, allowing respondents to self-enumerate during both the house-listing and population enumeration phases. All responses will be submitted via a dedicated Census portal,” an official stated. Sources revealed that the Census portal is still under development. “Given the significant technical updates, a fresh pre-test may be necessary, even as the app and software are undergoing internal testing. Enumerators will need to be thoroughly trained on the new processes and the census app,” a former Census officer explained.
