New Delhi/IBNS: The Government of India is expected to initiate the long-awaited census in 2025 and complete it by 2026, after a four-year delay, India Today reported on Monday (Oct. 28), citing its sources.

The India Today report also mentioned that once the census is finished, the ruling BJP government plans to begin the process of delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, which is anticipated to conclude by 2028.

India Blooms, however, can't independently verify the report.

The opposition, led by the Congress party, has been calling for a caste-based census, but the government has yet to disclose the detailed framework of the census.

Reports suggest that the upcoming census may include surveys focusing on sub-sects within the General and SC-ST categories and will record the population distribution among the general, scheduled caste, and scheduled tribe groups.

Reacting to this development, Congress leader Manickam Tagore criticized the government for not agreeing to a caste-based census, calling it a betrayal of the OBC (Other Backward Classes) communities.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Tagore wrote, "Modi’s refusal to conduct a #CasteCensus is a clear betrayal of OBC communities. Ignoring the voices demanding justice, he’s denying our people their due representation—all because of political arrogance. Will RSS, JDU, & TDP stand with the people or stay silent?"

Previously, in an interaction at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi emphasized the need for a caste census.

Rahul Gandhi stated that 90 percent of India's population, including OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis, are not adequately represented.

Gandhi reiterated that the caste census is essential to gauge the representation of marginalized communities and argued that the Congress would reconsider reservations when India becomes a truly "fair place."