In a historic development, denotified tribes will be enumerated in the Census of India 2027 for the first time since 1911. This will also mark the first occasion in Independent India that these communities are formally counted in the national Census.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has recommended to the Registrar General of India that denotified tribes be included in the upcoming Census exercise. The Census process is scheduled to begin in 2026, ahead of the final enumeration in 2027. The recommendation aims to ensure official recognition of these communities, which have remained outside the Census framework for over a century.

Denotified tribes were previously classified under the colonial-era Criminal Tribes Act, which labelled certain communities as “criminal” by birth. After Independence, the Act was repealed and these groups were denotified. However, despite the repeal, many denotified tribes have continued to face social exclusion and economic hardship.

The absence of Census data on denotified tribes has meant that there is no official record of their population. This lack of data has limited their access to government welfare schemes, reservations, and other benefits meant for historically disadvantaged communities.

By including denotified tribes in Census 2027, the government aims to bridge this long-standing data gap. Enumeration is expected to help in extending essential benefits and ensuring that these communities are formally recognised within government systems.

Officials say the step is significant as it will provide a clear picture of the population and status of denotified tribes across the country. The inclusion is intended to support policy planning and improve access to government support for these communities. The decision marks an important shift in India’s Census history and is seen as a step toward addressing the historical exclusion of denotified tribes from official records.