After a four-year delay, the census exercise is likely to start next year and will likely conclude a year after that, sources said on Monday. The last census was conducted in 2011, and the exercise was scheduled to be held in 2021 but was delayed due to the Covid
-19 pandemic.
"Census may start from next year. The census will start from 2025 and continue till 2026," sources told ABP News.
As per the sources privy to the development, the cycle of the census will also change now. Till now, the exercise which was held at the beginning of every decade, will now be held in the mid-decade. "Census which is held every 10 years, used to be held at the start of the decade like in 2001, 2011. Now, after 2025, it will be held in 2035, 2045, 2055 and so on," they said.
On the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats, sources said it will start after the census is completed. The delimitation process is likely to be complete by 2028, they said.
Moreover, while the religion and class of the people would be taken into account in the census, the government is yet to decide whether a caste census would be undertaken as demanded by many opposition parties. However, according to sources, this time around people might also be asked which sect they follow.
"General, Scheduled Caste and Tribe are counted in the census. But, this time people can also be asked which sect they follow. For example, in Karnataka, Lingayats who come under the general category consider themselves to be a separate sect. Similarly, there are different sects like Valmiki and Ravidasi among others in the Scheduled Castes. Because of this, the government is considering the demand for a census on the basis of sect along with religion and class," they said.
Meanwhile, the central deputation of Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, who is currently serving as the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, has been extended till August 2026, hinting that the commencement of the much-delayed census process will be started soon.