The Union Government said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (December 2, 2025) that as per the Census Act, 1948, “the respondent is required to answer all questions to the best of his knowledge or belief.”
The statement came as a written reply by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai in response to a question by Trinamool Congress member Shatrughan Prasad Sinha who asked whether disclosing caste for the Census would be optional
Census to be done in two phases between April 2026 and February 2027, says government
The Minister’s reply mentioned Section 8(2) of the Census Act, 1948, which says, “Every person of whom any question is asked under sub-section (1) shall be legally bound to answer such question to the best of his knowledge or belief.”
The next Census will be the first digital census and the first to enumerate caste in the Independent India.
