Historic Census 2027: Ladakh Pioneers India's First Caste Enumeration!
Historic Census 2027: Ladakh Pioneers India's First Caste Enumeration!
Ladakh is set to lead India's first caste enumeration in Census 2027! Discover how this historic process will unfold, featuring 40 questions and unique methods for sensitive border regions.
In a landmark move for Independent India, Ladakh, one of the country's newest Union Territories, is poised to lead the way in demonstrating how caste will be enumerated for the very first time. This significant step is part of the second phase of the Census, known as Population Enumeration (PE), which is set to kick off in Ladakh and other snow-bound regions on August 17. The enumeration process is expected to feature around 40 questions and, notably, will include an open-ended column for caste enumeration.
This 'open-column' methodology isn't new; it was successfully trialled during a rehearsal, or 'pre-test,' conducted between July 1 and 20. This pre-test covered 16 States and Union Territories, where respondents, excluding Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe individuals, were able to declare their castes in an open column. Enumerators then recorded these declarations. This approach is anticipated to be maintained in the final Census form.
While India's ongoing Census marks its first digital iteration, officials are making a special provision for Ladakh. A sufficient number of paper schedules are being printed for the region. This decision is crucial due to the presence of large defence establishments near the borders with China and Pakistan. Geo-tagging these sensitive locations digitally, as mandated by the digital Census app for all structures, poses security concerns. Similarly, respondents self-enumerating on the Census portal are typically required to geo-locate their structures, an aspect being handled carefully in Ladakh.
Although the official questionnaire from the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) is still awaiting notification, preparations are already in full swing. Ladakh, along with snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, will undergo the Population Enumeration phase from August 17 to September 30. This early start positions them well ahead of the rest of the country, where the Census exercise is slated to commence in February 2027. The Directorate of Census Operations for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has already wrapped up a three-day Master Training program, indicating the advanced stage of their readiness.
