India's 16th Census will run in two phases: Houselisting and Housing Census from April to September 2026, and Population Enumeration in February 2027 (September 2027 in snow-bound areas of Ladakh, J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand). Caste will be counted in the second phase, making it the first Census since Independence to enumerate all castes beyond SCs and STs, with statutory backing unlike the 2011 SECC. It will also be the first digital Census using mobile apps and will allow self-enumeration. The Registrar General notified 33 houselisting questions on 22 January; the caste methodology is still being finalised.