Census of India 2027 will be India’s first fully digital census, covering timeline, caste enumeration, key facts, and national impact for policy planning.
Census of India 2027: Overview
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the conduct of Census of India 2027 with an estimated budget of ₹11,718.24 crore. This will be the largest administrative and statistical exercise in the country. The main objective of the census is to generate updated and reliable demographic and socio-economic data, which will help governments at all levels in making informed and evidence-based policies.
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Census Timeline and Coverage
Census 2027 will be conducted in two distinct stages. The first stage, the Houselisting and Housing Census, is scheduled from April to September 2026, while the second stage, Population Enumeration, will take place in February 2027.
In snow-bound and special regions such as Ladakh, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, population enumeration will take place earlier, in September 2026.
The census will cover the entire population of India, with officials visiting every household to collect detailed information using structured questionnaires.
Digital Census and New Features
For the first time, the Indian census will be conducted in a fully digital manner. Data collection will be done through mobile applications compatible with Android and iOS devices.
A dedicated Census Management and Monitoring System portal will allow real-time tracking and supervision of census activities. New initiatives include a Houselisting Block Creator web-based map for better field planning and a self-enumeration facility for citizens.
Strong data security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and confidentiality of collected information.
Caste Enumeration and Workforce
The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has approved the inclusion of caste data in Census 2027. Caste details will be collected digitally during the Population Enumeration phase.
Around 30 lakh field workers, including enumerators, supervisors, trainers, and census officers, will be deployed across the country. Most of them will be existing government employees, such as teachers, who will receive appropriate honorariums for performing census duties in addition to their regular work.
Important Exam-Oriented Facts
Census 2027 will mark India’s 16th population census and the eighth since the country gained Independence. The exercise is carried out under the legal framework of the Census Act, 1948. It will be India’s first census to be conducted entirely in digital mode, with caste-related information collected during the Population Enumeration stage.
Data Usage, Employment and National Impact
Census 2027 aims to ensure faster release of data through user-friendly dashboards and customised visual tools, with information available up to village and ward levels.
Under the Census-as-a-Service model, ministries and departments will receive clean and machine-readable datasets. Around 18,600 technical personnel will be engaged for nearly 550 days, creating about 1.02 crore man-days of employment. The exercise will also strengthen digital and administrative capacity across states and districts.
Role of Census in Policy and Planning
The Census of India plays a crucial role in shaping national and state-level policies. Census 2027 data will be used for planning welfare schemes, allocation of resources, delimitation of constituencies, and assessment of development indicators. Accurate population data helps governments identify regional disparities, target vulnerable groups, and improve service delivery in sectors such as health, education, housing, and employment.
Support to Federal Structure and Local Governance
Census 2027 will strengthen India’s federal system by providing reliable data to states, districts, and local bodies. Village- and ward-level information will support Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local governments in planning local development works. Updated population figures are essential for fund distribution, infrastructure planning, disaster management, and implementation of centrally sponsored schemes at the grassroots level.
Technological Capacity Building and Future Readiness
The fully digital approach of Census 2027 will enhance India’s long-term technological and administrative capacity. Training millions of field workers in digital tools will improve governance efficiency beyond the census period. The experience gained in handling large-scale digital data, cybersecurity, and real-time monitoring will prepare government institutions for future technology-driven surveys and national data systems.
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