Census 2027: Notification Issued for India’s 16th Census – Know the Full Process and Key Highlights

The central government has officially issued the gazette notification for National Census 2027, which will be the 16th census of India and the 8th since Independence. This census is expected to be historic in many ways—it will be India’s first fully digital census and will also include caste-based data for the first time since 1931. The data collected will serve as a crucial foundation for the country’s social, economic, and political policies. Let’s take a detailed look at the process, schedule, and special features of this census.

Census 2027

Held every ten years, the census plays a vital role in policy-making and developmental planning in India. The 2021 census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the 2027 census aims not just to update population figures but also to introduce digital technology and caste-based data collection for better effectiveness.

What Makes This Census Unique?

1. First Digital Census: Data collection will be done using mobile apps and tablets instead of paper forms.
2. Caste-Based Data: For the first time since 1931, data related to caste will be officially recorded.
3. Self-Enumeration Option: Citizens will be able to fill out their details online through a dedicated portal.
4. Foundation for Delimitation and Policy: This census will lay the groundwork for redrawing constituencies and implementing women’s reservation in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
5. Faster and Transparent Process: Digital technology will reduce processing time and errors.

Schedule and Phases of Census 2027

The government plans to carry out the census in two phases, considering regional and seasonal variations.

Phase One: House Listing Phase

• Start Date: 1 October 2026
• Region: Snow-bound areas like Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand
• Duration: 5–6 months
• Objective: A physical survey of all households, forming the base for population enumeration.

What Will Be Recorded in House Listing?

• Head of Household: Name of the primary family member.
• Family Size: Number of people living in the house.
• Structure of the House: Building materials used (brick, mud, wood, etc.).
• Number of Rooms: Total rooms in the house.
• Water Source: Tap, hand pump, well, or borewell.
• Electricity Availability: Source and presence of an electricity connection.
• Fuel Used: Type of fuel used for cooking—gas, wood, dung, etc.
• Assets and Amenities: Availability of TV, mobile phone, internet, vehicles, etc.

This phase is crucial as it helps in identifying and mapping households for the population count. The process will begin early in snow-bound regions, as accessibility becomes difficult in winters.

Phase Two: Population Enumeration Phase

• Start Date: 1 March 2027
• Region: Rest of the country
• Duration: Around 20–21 days
• Objective: Collection of personal data of every individual.

What Will Be Recorded During Enumeration?

• Full Name
• Age and Date of Birth
• Gender: Male, Female, or Other
• Marital Status: Unmarried, Married, Divorced, Widowed
• Educational Qualification: Illiterate, Primary, Graduate, etc.
• Religion
• Caste: Caste-based data to be collected for the first time since 1931
• Disability Status: Physical or mental disability
• Occupation/Employment
• Migration Status: Whether living away from place of birth
• Mother Tongue
• Fertility Details (for women): Number of children, etc.

This phase will also cover homeless individuals, nomadic tribes, and temporary residents to ensure complete coverage.

Digital Census

Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital census. This transition aims to make the process faster, more accurate, and transparent.

Key Features of Digital Census

1. Mobile App and Tablet Usage: Enumerators will use digital devices instead of paper forms. The app will be available in 16 languages.
2. Self-Enumeration: Citizens can log in using their mobile number and fill in details themselves. A unique ID will be generated for the process.
3. Code Directory: Drop-down menus for non-numeric fields like caste, religion, and language.
4. Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR): Helps in rapid data processing.
5. Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS): Real-time progress tracking through a centralised portal.
6. Data Security: Stringent protocols will be in place to safeguard personal information.

Advantages of Digital Census

• Speed: Data processing will take around 9 months instead of 2 years as in 2011.
• Accuracy: Reduced manual entry errors.
• Transparency: Minimised misuse of data.
• Cost Efficiency: Lower expenditure on logistics and paperwork.

Caste-Based Data

For the first time since 1931, caste-based data will be officially recorded in the census. This is aimed at shaping more inclusive and evidence-based social and economic policies.

Importance of Caste Data

1. Targeted Schemes: Helps the government identify socially and economically backward communities.
2. Reservation Policies: Accurate data for SC, ST, and OBC will help improve the effectiveness of affirmative action.
3. Political Demand Fulfilment: Long-standing demand by opposition parties to include caste data.
4. Assessment of Social Status: A clearer picture of the needs of marginalised groups.

However, critics argue that caste-based enumeration may deepen social divides. The government, on the other hand, sees it as essential for achieving social justice.

Importance of the Census

The census is not merely a population count—it forms the foundation of governance, planning, and resource allocation.

1. Delimitation

• As per Articles 81 and 82 of the Constitution, constituencies are redrawn after every census.
• The 2027 census will be used for delimitation ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

2. Women’s Reservation

• Based on the Women’s Reservation Act, 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies will be reserved for women, to be implemented after this census.

3. Policy Formulation

• Education, healthcare, rural development, and infrastructure planning rely heavily on census data.
• Example: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’s toilet-building programme was planned based on the 2011 census.

4. SC/ST Reservation

• Under Articles 330 and 332, seats are reserved for SC/ST in proportion to their population.

Who Will Conduct the Census?

To execute this massive task:

• 34 Lakh Enumerators: Mostly government school teachers.
• 1.3 Lakh Administrative Officers: Supervision at district and sub-district levels.
• Technical Support: Mobile apps, tablets, and the CMMS portal.

Training

• Enumerators will receive training on using digital devices.
• Strict guidelines will be followed for data security.

Challenges and Controversies

1. Caste-Based Enumeration: Potential risk to social cohesion.
2. Delimitation Issues: Southern states fear loss of parliamentary seats in favour of more populous northern states.
3. NPR and NRC Linkage: Concerns over linking the census with the National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
4. Budget Constraints: Only ₹574.80 crore allocated in 2025–26, seen as insufficient for such a large-scale digital operation.

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