NationalWednesday, 20 May 2026·The Hindu - National
Supreme Court on caste census: Census 2027, backwardness data and judicial limits
The Supreme Court said caste enumeration is not wrong and noted that deciding its inclusion in Census 2027 is not within the court’s domain.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In May 2026, the Supreme Court of India said there is nothing wrong in holding a caste census and observed that deciding whether caste enumeration should be part of Census 2027 is not within the court’s domain.
Key specifics
- Census 2027 was specifically mentioned by the Chief Justice in the hearing.
- The court said the State should know who is backward, linking enumeration to social justice data.
- The issue concerns caste enumeration, not just a general population count.
- The observation came from the Supreme Court of India, the apex constitutional court.
- The date context is May 2026, making it relevant for current-affairs questions on census policy.
Exam lens
Polity and governance MCQ focus: Supreme Court, Census 2027, caste enumeration, backwardness data, judicial restraint. TNPSC may ask which institution decides census policy and what the court said about caste data.