Editorial photo #13528374 Human Interest
India Begins World's Largest Population Census
People walk near the clock tower (Ghanta Ghar) in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 02, 2026. India has begun counting its population in the world's largest census, which will include caste enumeration for the first time in nearly a century. This year's census is a $1.24 billion exercise during which more than three million Indian officials will spend a year surveying about 1.4 billion Indians about their household composition, living conditions, and access to basic amenities. The previous census in 2011 recorded a population of 1.21 billion. It is now estimated to be more than 1.4 billion, making India the most populous nation. (Photo by Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto)
