Current Affairs
Cabinet Approves Census of India 2027: A Digital Transformation
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2027 at a cost of ₹11,718.24 crore.
On December 12, 2025, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India approved the scheme for conducting the Census of India 2027 with a financial allocation of ₹11,718.24 crore. This will be India’s first digital census. The Census 2027 will be the 16th census in the country and the 8th conducted after Independence.
Brief History of Indian Census
The Census of India has a long tradition dating back to 1872, when the first synchronized census was conducted under British rule. Post-independence, India has conducted decennial censuses every ten years since 1951, making it one of the most consistent and comprehensive data collection exercises globally.
The 2011 Census was the 15th National Census and the first to collect biometric data (fingerprints and iris scans) alongside demographic information. It revealed a population of 1.21 billion with a literacy rate of 74.04% and documented significant urbanization trends.
The 2021 Census was originally scheduled to begin in April 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite initial plans to conduct it in 2021-22, the exercise was further delayed due to pandemic-related logistical challenges, resource constraints, and the need to deploy personnel for vaccination drives and pandemic management. This has resulted in an unprecedented 16-year gap between censuses—the longest in independent India’s history.
Understanding the Significance of Census 2027
The Indian Census represents the largest administrative and statistical exercise in the world. It provides data at the village, town, and ward level across parameters including Housing Condition, Amenities and Assets, Demography, Religion, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe populations, Language, Literacy and Education, Economic Activity, Migration, and Fertility patterns.
The Census of India 2027 will address a data gap that has persisted for over a decade. Government schemes and urban planning initiatives have been operating on 2011 population figures.
Phased Implementation Strategy
The census will be conducted in two phases.
Phase I: House Listing and Housing Census: The first phase will run from April to September 2026, spanning a 30 day window selected by each State and Union Territory government. This phase collects data on 31 parameters including building materials, access to drinking water, sanitation facilities, household assets, and cooking fuel sources.
Phase II: Population Enumeration: The second phase, scheduled for February 2027, will conduct the headcount with a reference date of March 1, 2027. This phase will utilize a questionnaire with questions covering demographics, religion, language, literacy, migration, and economic activity.
For the Union Territory of Ladakh and snow bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the Population Enumeration will be conducted in September 2026, with a reference date of October 1, 2026.
Digital Innovation: India’s First Digital Census
The Census 2027 represents a shift from paper based enumeration to digital methodology. Data will be collected using mobile applications compatible with both Android and iOS platforms. About 30 lakh field functionaries will capture information on their smartphones.
Key Digital Features:
- Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS): A portal has been developed for real time monitoring of the census process. Supervisors and District Census Officers can track enumeration progress.
- Census as a Service (CaaS): This approach will deliver data to ministries in a clean, machine readable, and actionable format. The CaaS model provides a queryable database accessible through APIs, enabling ministries to access aggregated census data for policy planning.
- Houselisting Block (HLB) Creator: This web map application allows Charge Officers to create enumeration blocks using satellite imagery, replacing hand drawn maps.
- Self Enumeration Portal: Citizens will have the option to self enumerate through a secure online portal. Participants can complete the questionnaire and generate a unique reference code or QR code, which enumerators can verify during their field visit.
Caste Enumeration in Census 2027
The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs decided on April 30, 2025, to include caste enumeration in Census 2027. This will be the first time since 1931 that India will enumerate caste data for all communities, not just Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The Census of India 2027 will employ a Code Directory methodology. Enumerators will use a drop down menu with a state specific list of castes to ensure data consistency.
Employment Generation and Capacity Building
The census exercise will deploy 30 lakh field functionaries, including enumerators, supervisors, master trainers, charge officers, and Principal/District Census Officers. All will receive honoraria for this work, which they will perform in addition to their regular duties.
About 18,600 technical personnel will be engaged for 550 days at the district and charge levels, generating about 1.02 crore man days of employment. These technical staff will manage the digital ecosystem, troubleshoot app connectivity issues, and ensure data synchronization.
Data Security and Privacy
The government has assured that suitable security features have been provisioned for this massive digital operation.
The Census Act, 1948, provides a statutory framework ensuring that individual data collected during the census remains confidential and cannot be shared or used as evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding. Only aggregate data up to the village level will be provided to government departments and other users.
Enhanced Data Dissemination
The Census 2027 will improve data dissemination. According to the government statement, “Data dissemination will be much better and in a user friendly way so that all the queries on required parameters for policy making will be made available on the click of a button.”
Census data will be made available with customized visualization tools, providing data sharing to all administrative levels, down to the village and ward level.
Legal Framework and Statutory Mandate
The Census of India 2027 derives its legal authority from the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990. Section 4 of the Census Act makes it binding for every citizen to answer census questions truthfully, while Section 15 ensures the confidentiality of individual data.
The census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The questionnaire is finalized based on inputs from ministries, departments, organizations, and census data users.
Conclusion
The Cabinet’s approval of the Census of India 2027 represents the resumption of a decennial exercise after a gap of 16 years. By adopting digital technology and introducing features like self enumeration and Census as a Service, the exercise aims to provide data for evidence based governance.
As 30 lakh field functionaries prepare for this exercise, the success of Census 2027 will depend on technological infrastructure and public participation. The census will provide data that helps shape policy decisions across sectors.
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Census of India 2027 FAQs
1. What is the total budget for Census of India 2027?
Ans. ₹11,718.24 crore.The government has assured that suitable security features have been provisioned for this digital operation, including end to end encryption for data.
2. What is the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS)?
Ans. A portal for real-time monitoring of census progress.
3. How many field functionaries will be deployed for Census 2027?
Ans. 30 lakh field functionaries will conduct the census.
4. Which census number will Census 2027 be for India?
Ans. It will be India’s 16th census overall.
5. What technology will enumerators use for Census 2027?
Ans. Mobile applications compatible with smartphones.
