Census 2027 to Begin April 1 with Digital Houselisting and Self-Enumeration
The initial phase of India’s Census 2027 will commence on April 1, 2026, with houselisting operations carried out across all states and Union territories. This phase will continue until September 30, with each state completing the exercise within a designated 30-day window. The houselisting and housing census will catalog all buildings, houses, and households, forming the base for the population enumeration scheduled for February 2027. The decadal census, delayed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will now be conducted using enhanced digital methods.
For the first time, Census 2027 will introduce a self-enumeration option, allowing residents to submit their information electronically. This facility will be available for 15 days prior to the start of door-to-door houselisting. Around 30 lakh enumerators will use mobile applications on Android and iOS devices, a move expected to improve data accuracy and efficiency compared to earlier paper-based processes, according to the Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner.
A major highlight of Census 2027 is the inclusion of caste enumeration during the population count phase. Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs in April last year, this will mark the first comprehensive caste data collection since Independence. The two-phase census aims to deliver an updated and robust demographic profile to guide policymaking and resource allocation, building on the last census in 2011, which recorded India’s population at 1.21 billion.
Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
