The recent notification from the Government of India regarding Census 2027 marks a significant moment for our nation. The announcement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, detailing preparations and key features, particularly caught my attention. It speaks of a fully digital census, employing mobile applications and tablets for data collection, and critically, introducing a self-enumeration option for citizens via an online portal using Aadhaar authentication Government of India Issues Notification for Census 2027: Preparations Begin for Nationwide Exercise. This, along with the inclusion of caste enumeration for the first time since 1931, presents both a leap forward and a complex undertaking.
It is truly striking to see the digital transformation of the census taking shape. For years, I have advocated for precisely this kind of modernization. Back in April 2019, in my blog post Census 2021: Unprecedented Opportunity, I highlighted the cumbersome nature of the manual 2011 census and proposed a shift towards a digital approach with mobile app integration for greater efficiency and accuracy. This idea gained traction, and by September 2019, I was noting how Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke of a digital census to improve services and reduce documents Digital census will improve services, reduce documents, says Amit Shah.
The introduction of a self-enumeration option, where citizens can directly input their data, is a direct fulfillment of a suggestion I made years ago. In my blog from October 2023, Thank You Shri Amitbhai Shah, I specifically explored the potential of self-enumeration through secure online platforms. I envisioned a process where individuals could log on and fill in their details, streamlining data collection and empowering citizens. Seeing this vision now embedded in Census 2027 brings a profound sense of validation. It underscores that these earlier insights were not just observations but vital pathways towards a more efficient and transparent governance. The renewed urgency I feel today is to ensure this self-enumeration is implemented with the utmost user-friendliness and security, truly making it "of the people, by the people, for the people," a mantra I touched upon in July 2019 Mantra for Government.
However, the inclusion of caste enumeration in the main census, while a monumental policy shift, also brings its own set of challenges, a "Pandora's Box" as I termed it in September 2021 Pandora's Box. This decision, taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, is intended to provide comprehensive caste data for the first time since 1931, aiming to drive policy changes Caste Census data to drive policy changes.
My past reflections on this topic have consistently pointed to the complexities involved. In October 2024, in my piece titled 1700 Castes to be listed in Census Form ?, I raised concerns about the sheer number of castes in our country and the practicalities of capturing such intricate information, even in a digital format. I argued for simplifying the census form and making it a user-friendly mobile application accessible in multiple languages. This remains paramount, especially now with the self-enumeration option. If the form is too complex, or the caste enumeration process unclear, it risks undermining the very accuracy and inclusivity that a digital census promises.
Moreover, the potential for widely differing data fields and non-aggregatable databases across states, which I cautioned against in my blogs NITI Aayog, Please Spare Us This Nightmare and Not an Easy Task, remains a pertinent concern. The article rightly highlights that while the caste census is crucial for social justice, its execution requires a delicate balancing act to avoid exacerbating social fissures. This reinforces my conviction that a centralized, standardized framework is critical for the caste census to truly serve as a transformative instrument for justice, rather than a fragmented exercise that creates more confusion than clarity, as I reflected upon in July 2025 Unpacking the cate census.
Census 2027 represents a pivotal moment for India. The shift to a digital-first approach with self-enumeration is a powerful testament to embracing technology for better governance. It is a validation of the ideas I and many others have championed for years. Now, the challenge lies in meticulously implementing these features, especially the sensitive aspect of caste enumeration, with transparency, standardization, and a deep commitment to simplifying the process for every citizen. The insights from my previous writings—on the need for simplification, digital efficiency, and careful consideration of social implications—feel more relevant and urgent than ever.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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