Who declares a person’s caste in Census 2027, and who checks it? The Supreme Court wants the Union’s standing operating procedure on record before it goes further.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
New Delhi: Asking the Union government to place before it the standing operating procedure (SOP) followed for data collection under Census 2027, the Supreme Court on Monday heard a writ petition that raises concerns over caste being recorded on the basis of self-declaration alone, without any verification. The Court did not issue notice on the petition [Aakash Goel v. Union of India and Another].
The matter was heard by a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana. Senior Advocate Mukta Gupta appeared for the petitioner, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was present for the Union.
The Bench’s questions to the Union
The Chief Justice remarked that government authorities do not collect information merely on a form basis, and asked the Solicitor General to place a note before the Court. The Union was asked to clarify how a person declares OBC or ST status, whether a caste certificate is required, who issues it, and how its genuineness is verified. The CJI stressed the problem of fake caste certificates and said verification is important so that genuine persons are not adversely affected.
The petitioner was directed to hand a copy of the petition to the Solicitor General. Counsel noted that the Court had earlier asked the authorities to consider the petitioner’s legal notice and representation.
ALSO READ: It’s a Policy Decision: Supreme Court Refuses PIL Against 2027 Caste Census
What the petitioner argued
Ms Gupta submitted that caste data is being collected only through a form or questionnaire, and that erroneous data could distort census results which feed into welfare schemes and budget allocations for the next 10 to 15 years. She said the petitioner’s RTI request for the material and verifiable data the authorities would rely on had gone unanswered, and that the authorities must set out guidelines on the basis for recording caste.
The petition seeks disclosure of any decision on recording and authenticating details of government-issued caste certificates; disclosure of the methodology and safeguards under Item 10 of Notification S.O. 4505(E) dated August 14, 2026, including the Household Schedule; a mechanism to record identifying details of caste certificates and check their authenticity; and a direction that census caste data not be the sole basis for reservation policy or caste-based welfare allocation unless a verifiable authentication protocol is in place and placed on affidavit.
Where the matter stands
The Court has not yet examined the petition’s merits and has issued no notice, but its direction to the Union to disclose the verification procedure puts the mechanics of caste recording in Census 2027 on the record. The petitioner’s contentions are allegations about the adequacy of safeguards, and the Union’s response on the SOP is awaited.
Case Title: Aakash Goel v. Union of India and Another [W.P.(C) No. 1249/2026]
Bench: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, Supreme Court of India
Date of Hearing: October 12, 2026
Appearances: Senior Advocate Mukta Gupta for the petitioner; Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the Union