Bihar Government Announces Census 2026 Dates: Two-Phase Count to Include Caste Information

The Bihar government has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming Census 2026, a large-scale demographic survey that will be carried out in two phases across the state beginning in April. The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, who said the entire exercise will take about 45 days to complete and will include detailed data collection from every household.

According to the government’s plan, the first phase of the census will start on April 17, 2026, focusing on house listing and basic household information. This portion of the process is expected to run through May 1. Immediately following this, the second phase will begin on May 2 and continue until May 31. During this stage, census workers will visit homes to record individual and family details.

What makes this census particularly notable is the inclusion of caste-related questions, which will be part of the second phase of data collection. Officials say this addition aims to provide a clearer picture of Bihar’s social composition and demographic trends. Despite its importance, the government has assured the public that all collected information will be kept confidential and protected under the relevant census laws.

The state government has entrusted the Revenue and Land Reforms Department with overseeing the census process. Administrators emphasize that the information gathered will play a crucial role in shaping future development policies, resource allocation, and planning efforts in Bihar. By understanding the population profile in more depth, policymakers hope to better address the needs of different communities and regions across the state.

This census follows the national pattern, as the 2027 Census of India is scheduled to be conducted over two broad phases across the country. The inclusion of caste enumeration in the national census—planned for the first time since the early 20th century—is also part of this exercise, reflecting a larger, historic effort to update India’s demographic records.