Census 2027: What to Expect from India's Upcoming Population Count

Census 2027 Scheduled in Two Phases

New Delhi: The upcoming Census 2027 will unfold in two distinct phases, with the initial phase set to occur from April to September 2026, followed by the second phase in February 2027, as reported to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

In response to a query from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Nityanand Rai, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, outlined that the first phase will involve House Listing and Housing Census, while the second phase will focus on Population Enumeration (PE).

The first phase will span 30 days, tailored to the convenience of state and Union Territory governments.

Population Enumeration is scheduled for February 2027, with a reference date of 00:00 hours on March 1, 2027. However, for the Union Territory of Ladakh and certain snow-affected areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, this will take place in September 2026, referencing October 1, 2026.

The minister emphasized that the census questionnaire is developed based on feedback from various ministries, departments, organizations, and users of census data prior to each census.

With a legacy spanning over 150 years, the census process incorporates lessons learned from previous counts to enhance future exercises.

Additionally, the minister confirmed that caste enumeration will be included in the census, as decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on April 30 this year.

Census 2027 will also embrace digital methods, utilizing mobile applications for data collection and offering an online self-enumeration option.