New Delhi, June 17 -- The Centre on Monday issued a notification for conducting the long-delayed 2027 Census, formally initiating the preparatory work for the world's largest population counting exercise after a gap of 16 years. Earlier this month, the government had said that the census will be carried out in two phases before March 1, 2027, announcing a crucial exercise that will enumerate caste for the first time since Independence and likely become the base for landmark processes such as delimitation and women's reservation. "The central government hereby declares that a census of the population of India shall be taken during the year 2027. The reference date for the said census shall be 00.00 hours of the 1st day of March, 2027, except...