More than three million government officials across India have launched what is set to be the largest national population survey in the world, initiating a yearlong exercise that could significantly influence welfare distribution and political representation nationwide.

The census, postponed partly due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, officially commenced on Wednesday and is scheduled to continue until March 31 of next year.

In the initial phase, census workers will spend approximately one month visiting households to gather basic information, including details about housing conditions and available amenities.

Data will be collected through face-to-face interviews as well as digital submissions, with residents given the option to complete their information using a smartphone application.

A second stage of the census will begin in September, focusing on more comprehensive data collection. This phase will record social and economic details about individuals, including information related to religion and caste.

Caste controversy

The caste system, rooted in centuries-old social traditions, continues to shape social identity in India and plays a major role in determining access to resources, education, and economic opportunities.

India is home to hundreds of caste groups, many historically linked to occupation and social status, particularly within Hindu communities. However, reliable and up-to-date data on the size and distribution of these groups remains limited.

Previous governments have avoided conducting a complete caste-based count, citing concerns that such an exercise could intensify social divisions and lead to unrest.

Census findings form the foundation for allocating government welfare benefits and shaping a broad range of public policies.

The updated population figures may also lead to a reconfiguration of India’s political boundaries, as parliamentary and state assembly seats could be adjusted to reflect demographic changes.

A law passed in 2023 mandates that one-third of legislative seats be reserved for women, meaning any increase in total seats would also expand female representation.

Advocates argue that detailed data is essential to ensure that government assistance reaches those who need it most, while opponents contend that emphasizing caste contradicts the vision of a modern nation aspiring to global leadership.

The last comprehensive effort to document caste data through a census occurred in 1931, during British colonial administration.

Following independence, beginning with the first census in 1951, authorities recorded data only for Dalits and Adivasis, communities officially classified as scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

The most recent census, carried out in 2011, reported India’s population at 1.21 billion. Current estimates place the figure above 1.4 billion, making India the most populous country in the world.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, India surpassed China in population size in 2023.