New Delhi, May 1 -- The decadal census is likely to begin soon with officials hoping to complete it by the end of 2026, people familiar with the development said on Wednesday.

To be sure, the government has not issued a formal timeline or deadline for completing the already delayed census 2021.

"It may begin soon as whether to include or not the caste enumeration was only delaying the entire exercise," said an officer, who asked not to be named.

The decision to include caste in the census also means that the number of questions in the Census 2021 to collect information from every household during the house listing and house census exercise might increase to 32, from 31 currently.

In March this year, the Union home ministry had informe...