Overview
- A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi disposed of Aakash Goel’s PIL but directed the Union government and census officials to consider his suggestions.
- The bench said it agreed in principle that relying solely on self-declared caste status is problematic and that entries should rest on verifiable material.
- The order permits Goel to send his writ as a supplementary representation as the authorities examine his July 9, 2025 notice and related concerns.
- The petition highlighted the absence of published guidelines, criteria, or a sample questionnaire and noted a notification allowing collection based only on self-declaration.
- Census 2027 is planned as India’s first fully digital headcount and first comprehensive caste enumeration since 1931, an exercise expected to inform welfare policy and reservations.