Supreme Court Seeks Government Procedure for Verification of Caste Data in Census 2027

The Supreme Court asked the Union government to explain the procedure for collecting and verifying caste information during Census 2027.

Background

A petition questioned reliance on self-declaration in questionnaires without adequate checks. The Bench asked how claims of OBC or Scheduled Tribe status would be recorded and whether certificates or other verification were contemplated.

Legal issue and reasoning

The Court conveyed the concern to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and sought a procedural note without formally issuing notice. The reliability of census responses and the legality of the proposed process remain unresolved.

Consequence and next step

The Centre is expected to place its standard operating procedure before the Court. No requirement to produce a caste certificate was imposed by the Bench at this stage.