India begins world’s largest population census

estimated 1.4 billion citizens. This is the country's first census since 2011, delayed by the pandemic, and the first to be conducted digitally. The exercise will cost 1.25 billion dollars and for the first time will include caste data—not collected since 1931—amid growing focus on social inequality. Results are expected next year and will inform policies on development, welfare, and infrastructure in a nation facing urban overcrowding, housing shortages and widening income gaps. Al Jazeera's Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi, India. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #IndiaCensus #Census2026 #IndiaPopulation #DigitalCensus #CasteData #IndiaDemographics #SocialWelfare #Urbanisation #NewDelhi #IndiaNews #WorldPopulation #CensusIndia