India's 2027 Census to be Conducted in Two Phases, Reveals Minister

India's Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, has announced that the 2027 census will be conducted in two phases, starting with household listings and housing data collection. The second phase will include population enumeration and disability data. Training for census personnel will follow the finalization of the questionnaire. Additionally, over 93,000 vacancies exist in the Central Armed Police Forces, raising concerns about law enforcement and internal security. The government is actively working to fill these positions through established recruitment agencies.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 17, 2026, 19:20 IST

Census Preparation and Phases

On March 17, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai announced that the upcoming census in India will take place in 2027 and will be executed in two distinct phases. The initial phase will focus on compiling a list of households and gathering housing-related data, followed by the actual population count. Rai confirmed that the questions for the first phase have already been finalized, while the queries for the second phase will be completed and announced prior to the commencement of the population enumeration. Similar to previous census exercises, it is anticipated that the second phase will also collect data regarding disabilities.

Training and Data Collection

Once the questionnaire is finalized, comprehensive manuals and training materials will be developed in consultation with stakeholders. Subsequently, training sessions will be organized for census personnel, including enumerators and supervisors. Enumerators will collect data by visiting households in designated blocks. An optional self-enumeration system will also be available, allowing any family member to submit details through an online portal.

Vacancies in Central Armed Police Forces

After finalizing and notifying the questions for the second phase, training kits and manuals will be prepared in consultation with relevant stakeholders, followed by training for census officials, including enumerators and supervisors. Additionally, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that there are over 93,000 vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles. In a written response, Minister Nityanand Rai provided details on the vacancies, indicating that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has the highest number of vacancies at 27,400, followed by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) with 28,342 empty positions.

Impact of Vacancies on Security

Rai also mentioned that the Border Security Force (BSF) has 14,531 vacancies, while the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has 12,333 and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has 6,784 vacant posts. The Assam Rifles has 3,749 vacancies. Addressing concerns regarding the impact of these vacancies on law enforcement, internal security, and disaster relief capabilities, Rai stated that the forces are effectively fulfilling their responsibilities. He emphasized that the forces are performing all duties in a highly professional manner, maximizing the use of available resources. The minister noted that filling the vacancies in CAPF and Assam Rifles is an ongoing process, with recruitment being conducted through agencies such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).