Centre to Launch Census in 2025, Complete Lok Sabha Delimitation by 2028

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The government is set to launch the next official census in 2025, after a four-year delay, sources confirmed on Monday. The process will commence in 2025 and continue through 2026. Following the census, the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats is expected to begin, with completion anticipated by 2028.

While opposition parties have been calling for a caste census, the government has yet to make a definitive decision. However, sources indicate that the upcoming census could include surveys on sub-sects within the General and SC-ST categories, in addition to the usual classifications by religion and social class.

Opposition leaders, including those from Congress, are pushing for a nationwide caste census. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has called for an all-party meeting to discuss the inclusion of caste data in the census and its potential impact on the allocation of Lok Sabha seats. Other Congress figures, such as Manickam Tagore, have criticized the government for not committing to the caste census, accusing it of betraying the interests of OBC communities.

Allies of the NDA, such as JDU and LJP, have also voiced their support for a caste census, urging its inclusion in the upcoming population survey to better address the needs of marginalized communities. They argue that the data should be used for governance purposes but should remain confidential.

The census, originally planned for 2021 but delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will now follow a revised timeline. The entire process will be digital, conducted via a mobile app, as announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The last census, held in 2011, recorded a population of over 121 crore in India, with a growth rate of 17.7%.

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