Census 2027 (Image Credit: ANI)

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Tuesday issued a notice to Punjab authorities after taking cognizance of the alleged use of casteist words in the official list prepared for the upcoming census operations in the state.The commission said it has decided to investigate the matter under the powers conferred under Article 338 of the Constitution of India.Notices have been sent to the Director of Census Operations, Punjab and the Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Department of the Punjab Government. Both the departments have been directed to submit detailed action taken report within 15 days.“The Commission had decided to investigate/inquire into the matter in pursuance of the powers conferred under Article 338 of the Constitution of India. The notice states that you are requested to submit the action taken report to the undersigned within 15 days.The Commission further warned that if no response is received within the stipulated time, it can exercise the powers of a civil court under Article 338 of the Constitution.“The Commission may also issue summons to you to appear before the Commission in person or through a representative,” the notice said.Also read: CM Yogi completes self-count for Census 2027When will the census be held in Punjab?The self-counting facility available in Punjab from April 30 to May 14 has ended. The door-to-door census work will now be conducted in two phases across the state.The first phase, known as house listing and house census, will be conducted from May 15 to June 13. During this phase, enumerators will visit households and collect information through 33 questions related to housing conditions and available facilities.The second phase, population census, is scheduled to take place from February 9 to February 28, 2027.Census 2027 will be the 16th census of India and the eighth after independence.Census 2027 will be the 16th census of India and the 8th after independence. The last census was conducted in 2011, while the 2021 census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Also read: Ground visits begin for house listing work under Census 2027