In a landmark decision, the Indian government has approved the inclusion of caste data in the forthcoming national census, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to demographic data collection. This move comes as the decennial census, originally scheduled for 2021, faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical challenges. 

The inclusion of caste information aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of India's complex social structure, which is expected to inform future policies and social justice initiatives. The Information Minister confirmed the cabinet's decision but did not specify the commencement date for the census. 

This development aligns with longstanding demands from various political parties and social groups advocating for a caste-based census to ensure equitable representation and resource allocation. The last comprehensive caste census was conducted in 1931, and while the 2011 census collected some caste data, the findings were not released publicly. 

The upcoming census, now set to include caste enumeration, is anticipated to be conducted in early 2025, with data release expected by 2026. This initiative is poised to reshape India's socio-political landscape by providing updated insights into the demographic composition of its population.