Polity & Governance
Census 2027 Caste Count: Why the Open-Column Method Has Officials Undecided on Sorting the Data
By Shivam Singh, Founder & Mentor, Minimalist IAS
· Updated · 3 min read
The 2027 Census is enumerating caste for the first time since Independence, but the government has not yet decided how to sort, tabulate and rationalise caste data collected through an open column, where respondents write in their own caste name. Critics point to the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census, whose similar method produced over 46 lakh caste names that were never rationalised.
In the news (26 September 2026): More than a month after notifying the 2027 Census’s second-phase questionnaire, officials say they have not yet decided how to sort, tabulate and rationalise caste data collected through an open-column method.
Key facts at a glance
The method: Respondents outside the Scheduled Castes/Tribes can write in their own caste name in an open column, unlike the pre-listed dropdown used in Bihar’s and Telangana’s caste surveys.
Scale: The Population Enumeration phase carries 40 questions, 13 of them new, including caste, family particulars and COVID-vaccination fields.
The 2011 precedent: The SECC’s similar open-field method yielded over 46 lakh distinct caste names that successive governments never rationalised or released.
Process gap: The sorting-methodology file must still travel from the Registrar-General’s office to the Union Home Secretary and then the Cabinet for a final call.
Timeline: The Population Enumeration phase is scheduled to conclude on 30 September 2026.
How do caste-enumeration methods compare?
SECC, 2011 — open column: over 46 lakh distinct caste names; never officially rationalised.
Bihar and Telangana caste surveys — closed, pre-listed list: narrower, more usable categories (reducing, but not eliminating, classification ambiguity).
Census 2027, Phase 2 — open column: sorting methodology still undecided.
Why it matters for UPSC
Connect this to the long-running national caste-census debate, the Mandal Commission’s data gap, and the OBC sub-categorisation exercise of the Rohini Commission, which also hinges on reliable caste data.
Practice: Prelims MCQ
With reference to the Census of India, consider the following statements:
The 2027 Census will be the first Census since Independence to enumerate caste data for the general population through the household schedule.
The Socio-Economic and Caste Census, 2011 was conducted as part of the regular decennial Census under the Census Act, 1948.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only. The 2027 Census marks the first time caste (beyond SC/ST) is enumerated since Independence. The SECC 2011 was a separate exercise conducted outside the Census Act framework, not part of the regular decennial Census.
Terms to know
SECC: Socio-Economic and Caste Census
OBC: Other Backward Classes
PE: Population Enumeration
Frequently asked questions
Is caste being counted in the 2027 Census?
Yes. The 2027 Census is enumerating caste for the first time since Independence, through an open column in which respondents outside the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes write in their own caste name.
What is the open-column method of caste enumeration?
In the open-column method, respondents write their caste name in a blank field instead of picking from a pre-listed set of categories. Bihar and Telangana used the closed, pre-listed method in their caste surveys.
Why is the SECC 2011 cited as a warning?
The Socio-Economic and Caste Census of 2011 used a similar open-field method and produced over 46 lakh distinct caste names, which successive governments never rationalised or released.
Was the SECC 2011 part of the regular Census?
No. The SECC 2011 was a separate exercise conducted outside the Census Act, 1948 framework, not part of the regular decennial Census.
Key takeaways
The first post-Independence caste count uses an open column — the same method that made the SECC 2011 data unusable.
The sorting decision still has to move from the Registrar-General to the Home Secretary and then the Cabinet.
Reliable caste data also underpins OBC sub-categorisation (the Rohini Commission).
Related reading
From The Daily UPSC Brief, 26 September 2026 — by Shivam Singh.
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About the author
Shivam Singh
Founder & Mentor, Minimalist IAS
Shivam has been through every stage of the exam himself — Prelims, repeated Mains attempts across UPSC and state civil services, and the interview board. For 7 years he has mentored aspirants one-to-one, helping 100+ clear various stages of the exam, including final selections.
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