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National
Census Enumeration Starts in Snow‑Clad Himalayan Regions, First Inclusion of Caste Question
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 02 Sep 2026, 12:51 PM
👁 21
The 2024 Indian census has begun field operations in snow‑covered Himalayan districts, marking the first time a caste question will be asked.
Field teams of the 2024 Census of India have moved into snow‑bound districts of the Himalayas, launching the first phase of enumeration in some of the country’s most inaccessible terrain. Enumerators equipped with cold‑weather gear are visiting villages across northern states to record basic demographic details as part of the nationwide count.
A landmark feature of this round is the inclusion of a caste‑related question, a data point that has been absent from every census since independence. Officials say the new question will provide a more granular picture of social composition, aiding the design of affirmative‑action policies and welfare programmes.
Conducting the count in high‑altitude, snow‑covered areas poses logistical hurdles. The survey team has deployed snow‑clearing equipment, temporary shelters and satellite‑linked devices to ensure data integrity despite harsh weather and limited connectivity. Training sessions emphasized cultural sensitivity, especially around the newly added caste query.
The collected information will be compiled centrally and released in phases over the next two years, offering policymakers a detailed demographic baseline for planning at both state and national levels.
A landmark feature of this round is the inclusion of a caste‑related question, a data point that has been absent from every census since independence. Officials say the new question will provide a more granular picture of social composition, aiding the design of affirmative‑action policies and welfare programmes.
Conducting the count in high‑altitude, snow‑covered areas poses logistical hurdles. The survey team has deployed snow‑clearing equipment, temporary shelters and satellite‑linked devices to ensure data integrity despite harsh weather and limited connectivity. Training sessions emphasized cultural sensitivity, especially around the newly added caste query.
The collected information will be compiled centrally and released in phases over the next two years, offering policymakers a detailed demographic baseline for planning at both state and national levels.