Enumerate People with No Religion No Caste Identity in Census 2027 !
The Issue
#NRNC
Enumerate the People with No Religion No Caste (NRNC) Identity
In the Upcoming Census 2027 !
The Country wide decennial Census which was commenced during British India period 150 years ago in 1872 is being continued by Independent India from 1951 onwards. But, the 2021 Census was delayed by 6 years due to Covid Pandemic. Thus, the present Census 2027 of India is taking place in two phases. The first Phase is house-listing Operation and housing census which was commenced from 1st March 2026 and is completed. The first phase census covered house wise conditions, assets, amenities etc of each household. Now, the second phase of census is going to commence, from 1st March 2027, where the individual identity of every citizen will be counted. Caste census was there from the beginning of Census during the British Period itself but was stopped in 1951 limiting the census to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) Data only. But with the demand from across the country for the first time Indian Union has decided to enumerate Caste wise census also in the ensuing 2027 Census.
In the questionnaire for the second phase 9th question is about Religion and 10th Question is about SC/ST/ Caste. We didn’t notice any description to record the people with No Religion No Caste (NRNC) Identity.
Many newer identities are being included with changing times and with the demand of people movements. But one large section of people and one of the oldest existing categories has not been recognised and identified by the Indian Census so far. In our history they are known with different identities like Charvakas / Lokayat, Sankhyas and in the current times as Atheists, Rationalists, Humanists, Materialists, Communists and others with their practice and philosophy. Broadly they are the people who are all opting for “No Religion No Caste” identity/category, or NRNC in short. Though their existence was there in the Indian Society since centuries with all of their cultural contribution, social activism and through their literary presence, they were not recognized by the Census of India or by any official identity recording institution such as Registration of birth and Deaths or in School admissions and appointment of employment etc. Worldwide Non Religious people are approximately 190 crores and stands third in population after Christianity and Islam. A forced identity is being given based on their parent’s social status and religious belief. In fact, life without any religious practice is a reality in which lakhs of people as individuals, families and groups across the country were existed, are existing and are going to exist in the future. At the same time we completely stand and support the reservations policy and all the welfare schemes meant for the needy.
For the first time on record a Telugu Couple, namely Mr. D. V. Ramakrishna Rao and Mrs. S. Clarance Krupalini had approached the High Court for registering their child’s No Religion No Caste (NRNC) Identity during school admission in the Year 2010 WPMP 12223/2010 in WP 9469 of 2010. It was positively upheld by Justice C V Nagarjuna Reddy as he said “Right to Religion means, right not to have any religion also” while giving an interim order and asked not to insist for Religion and Caste in the then Andhra Pradesh. Later during their elder daughter’s Intermediate online fee payment, the problem persisted and they had to file a Public Interest Litigation in 2017 (PIL WP 66 of 2017) which was disposed without any specific direction saying it can be availed by the needy same time insisted for quantifiable data which paved the way for the petition during caste census in Telangana. One more couple by names Mr. David and Mrs. Rupa approached high Court for their baby boy’s birth Certificate with NRNC identity in the year 2023. Justice Lalitha Kanneganti has passed orders in WP No 27398 of 2023 allowing them by directing the respondent state of Telangana to provide a column for those application forms and even in online application format also.
In continuation to above efforts an online petition of “No Religion No Caste Change. Org “ compiled people’s aspiration for NRNC identity. More than 55 thousand people signed and expressed solidarity for the need of a separate column for the section of people where ever it is required both online and off-line.
In the Process of Socio-Economic survey taken up by Telangana state government as a part of the BC Caste Census, organization by name “Kula Nirmulana Sangham” (KNS) has appealed to provide an additional Column in that Survey for those who opt NRNC. Justice S Nanda passed orders to consider the same. The Government of Telangana in the GO Ms No 18 dated 10.10.2024 for Caste Census has got it amended as per High Court Orders providing changes by creating another column for recognising people with No Religion No Caste Identity. Three among the four petitions are fought by Advocate Mr. D. Suresh Kumar and the one for Birth Certificate Petition is being fought by Advocate Mr. M Venkanna.
In the year 2019, Mrs. MA Sneha and few others from Tamil Nadu got No Religion, No Caste Certificate at individual level from Tehsildar (MRO), subsequently a writ filed by Mr H.Santosh in Tamilnadu High Court got positive verdict in support of his appeal for NRNC Identity. People across the nation are opting for the same but there is no option to register this Identity.
For the first time Government of Telangana has enumerated the population of No Religion and No Caste individuals. It is first time to recognise such category in India. It was announced that 3.4 % people of Telangana, in figures 11.96 lakhs of people who stood in the top ten place among the top 35 populated castes and it was announced by the Chief Minister of Telangana himself. Thanks to the Telangana Government for this.
If in a one state itself individuals with “No Religion No Caste Identity” were identified in such a big number, if they are enumerated across the country properly, definitely there could be a much bigger number. Since last year individuals from Hyderabad have been representing at state level and at Union level to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. With this brief History we are humbly requesting the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to enumerate people with NRNC Identity. Requesting Telangana Chief Minister for the proactive role in achieving it.
Our petition and a petition from Kula Nirmulana Sangham seeking a direction are awaiting judgement in the High Court of Telangana. We request all the Citizens and Democrats of India to read, sign and share this petition until it reaches the decision / policy makers to help us in upholding the right not to have any religion and caste. Let us achieve the dreams of our social revolutionaries – Dr B R Ambedkar, Jyothiba Phule , Savitribai Phule, Periyar and many poets like Vemana, Gurajada, Jashuva and so on.. for a society without any social discrimination,untouchability and inequality.
Finally.. " Right to Religion means
Right Not to have any Religion also.. "
Thanking You,
With Regards and All Best Wishes,
Telangana High Court Petitioners ,
(Petition - WP 1420/2026)
D. V. Rama Krishna Rao (Journalist)Petitioner 2010(WP),2017(PIL),Dr. Samata Roshini Padala (Doctor), N. Venugopal Rao (Journalist), Ch. Vanaja Kumari (Journalist), M. V. Ramana Rao (Journalist), Ashish K James (Advocate), Chityala Raju (Film Making), A Rohini (Private employee), P. Ramanath (Lecturer), Nookala Swathi (Activist), Khushbu Thakur (Advocate), Shaik Alla Bakshi (Business)
17th October, 2027
Hyderabad
101
The Issue
#NRNC
Enumerate the People with No Religion No Caste (NRNC) Identity
In the Upcoming Census 2027 !
The Country wide decennial Census which was commenced during British India period 150 years ago in 1872 is being continued by Independent India from 1951 onwards. But, the 2021 Census was delayed by 6 years due to Covid Pandemic. Thus, the present Census 2027 of India is taking place in two phases. The first Phase is house-listing Operation and housing census which was commenced from 1st March 2026 and is completed. The first phase census covered house wise conditions, assets, amenities etc of each household. Now, the second phase of census is going to commence, from 1st March 2027, where the individual identity of every citizen will be counted. Caste census was there from the beginning of Census during the British Period itself but was stopped in 1951 limiting the census to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) Data only. But with the demand from across the country for the first time Indian Union has decided to enumerate Caste wise census also in the ensuing 2027 Census.
In the questionnaire for the second phase 9th question is about Religion and 10th Question is about SC/ST/ Caste. We didn’t notice any description to record the people with No Religion No Caste (NRNC) Identity.
Many newer identities are being included with changing times and with the demand of people movements. But one large section of people and one of the oldest existing categories has not been recognised and identified by the Indian Census so far. In our history they are known with different identities like Charvakas / Lokayat, Sankhyas and in the current times as Atheists, Rationalists, Humanists, Materialists, Communists and others with their practice and philosophy. Broadly they are the people who are all opting for “No Religion No Caste” identity/category, or NRNC in short. Though their existence was there in the Indian Society since centuries with all of their cultural contribution, social activism and through their literary presence, they were not recognized by the Census of India or by any official identity recording institution such as Registration of birth and Deaths or in School admissions and appointment of employment etc. Worldwide Non Religious people are approximately 190 crores and stands third in population after Christianity and Islam. A forced identity is being given based on their parent’s social status and religious belief. In fact, life without any religious practice is a reality in which lakhs of people as individuals, families and groups across the country were existed, are existing and are going to exist in the future. At the same time we completely stand and support the reservations policy and all the welfare schemes meant for the needy.
For the first time on record a Telugu Couple, namely Mr. D. V. Ramakrishna Rao and Mrs. S. Clarance Krupalini had approached the High Court for registering their child’s No Religion No Caste (NRNC) Identity during school admission in the Year 2010 WPMP 12223/2010 in WP 9469 of 2010. It was positively upheld by Justice C V Nagarjuna Reddy as he said “Right to Religion means, right not to have any religion also” while giving an interim order and asked not to insist for Religion and Caste in the then Andhra Pradesh. Later during their elder daughter’s Intermediate online fee payment, the problem persisted and they had to file a Public Interest Litigation in 2017 (PIL WP 66 of 2017) which was disposed without any specific direction saying it can be availed by the needy same time insisted for quantifiable data which paved the way for the petition during caste census in Telangana. One more couple by names Mr. David and Mrs. Rupa approached high Court for their baby boy’s birth Certificate with NRNC identity in the year 2023. Justice Lalitha Kanneganti has passed orders in WP No 27398 of 2023 allowing them by directing the respondent state of Telangana to provide a column for those application forms and even in online application format also.
In continuation to above efforts an online petition of “No Religion No Caste Change. Org “ compiled people’s aspiration for NRNC identity. More than 55 thousand people signed and expressed solidarity for the need of a separate column for the section of people where ever it is required both online and off-line.
In the Process of Socio-Economic survey taken up by Telangana state government as a part of the BC Caste Census, organization by name “Kula Nirmulana Sangham” (KNS) has appealed to provide an additional Column in that Survey for those who opt NRNC. Justice S Nanda passed orders to consider the same. The Government of Telangana in the GO Ms No 18 dated 10.10.2024 for Caste Census has got it amended as per High Court Orders providing changes by creating another column for recognising people with No Religion No Caste Identity. Three among the four petitions are fought by Advocate Mr. D. Suresh Kumar and the one for Birth Certificate Petition is being fought by Advocate Mr. M Venkanna.
In the year 2019, Mrs. MA Sneha and few others from Tamil Nadu got No Religion, No Caste Certificate at individual level from Tehsildar (MRO), subsequently a writ filed by Mr H.Santosh in Tamilnadu High Court got positive verdict in support of his appeal for NRNC Identity. People across the nation are opting for the same but there is no option to register this Identity.
For the first time Government of Telangana has enumerated the population of No Religion and No Caste individuals. It is first time to recognise such category in India. It was announced that 3.4 % people of Telangana, in figures 11.96 lakhs of people who stood in the top ten place among the top 35 populated castes and it was announced by the Chief Minister of Telangana himself. Thanks to the Telangana Government for this.
If in a one state itself individuals with “No Religion No Caste Identity” were identified in such a big number, if they are enumerated across the country properly, definitely there could be a much bigger number. Since last year individuals from Hyderabad have been representing at state level and at Union level to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. With this brief History we are humbly requesting the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to enumerate people with NRNC Identity. Requesting Telangana Chief Minister for the proactive role in achieving it.
Our petition and a petition from Kula Nirmulana Sangham seeking a direction are awaiting judgement in the High Court of Telangana. We request all the Citizens and Democrats of India to read, sign and share this petition until it reaches the decision / policy makers to help us in upholding the right not to have any religion and caste. Let us achieve the dreams of our social revolutionaries – Dr B R Ambedkar, Jyothiba Phule , Savitribai Phule, Periyar and many poets like Vemana, Gurajada, Jashuva and so on.. for a society without any social discrimination,untouchability and inequality.
Finally.. " Right to Religion means
Right Not to have any Religion also.. "
Thanking You,
With Regards and All Best Wishes,
Telangana High Court Petitioners ,
(Petition - WP 1420/2026)
D. V. Rama Krishna Rao (Journalist)Petitioner 2010(WP),2017(PIL),Dr. Samata Roshini Padala (Doctor), N. Venugopal Rao (Journalist), Ch. Vanaja Kumari (Journalist), M. V. Ramana Rao (Journalist), Ashish K James (Advocate), Chityala Raju (Film Making), A Rohini (Private employee), P. Ramanath (Lecturer), Nookala Swathi (Activist), Khushbu Thakur (Advocate), Shaik Alla Bakshi (Business)
17th October, 2027
Hyderabad
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Petition created on 17 October 2026