The Supreme Court of India has recently put to rest a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought to prevent caste enumeration from being included in the upcoming Census 2027. The decision, delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant along with Justices Joymala Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, emphasized that such matters fall within the purview of the government, thereby limiting judicial intervention in policy decisions.

During the proceedings, Chief Justice Kant articulated that it is crucial for any government to understand the demographics of its population, particularly in identifying backward classes that may require specific welfare programs. He noted, “Any government of the day must know how many people are backward and how many need welfare,” reinforcing the notion that caste data plays a vital role in shaping social policies.

The petitioner in this case raised concerns over the potential misuse of the detailed caste data being collected. He argued that accumulating such extensive information could pave the way for politicians and corporations to exploit the data for ulterior motives. However, the Supreme Court was steadfast in its stance, ultimately deciding that the matter is an administrative policy issue rather than a legal one.

Census 2027 is anticipated to be a comprehensive exercise, set to unfold in two key phases: the house listing phase from April to September 2026, followed by the primary population enumeration in February 2027. This will mark the first decadal census since the last one was conducted in 2011, with the last time India gathered caste-specific data dating back to 1931.

Originally scheduled to begin in 2020, the Census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to further delays in understanding the socio-economic landscape of the nation. As India gears up for this monumental exercise, the inclusion of caste enumeration is seen by some as a necessary step toward ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for all segments of society.