New Delhi: India is gearing up for its 16th decennial Census, a monumental exercise set to conclude by March 1, 2027, under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. This census, the first since 2011, marks a significant milestone as it introduces a digital framework and includes caste enumeration for the first time since 1931. With a 16-year gap due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Population Census-2027 promises to deliver critical socioeconomic and demographic data that will shape government policies, planning, and the redrawing of Lok Sabha constituencies.
Overview of the Population Census-2027
The Population Census-2027 will be conducted in two distinct phases, with the process culminating by March 1, 2027. The last census, held in 2011, recorded India’s population at 1,210.19 million, with 623.72 million males (51.54%) and 586.46 million females (48.46%). The 2021 census was postponed due to the global health crisis, making this the first census in 16 years. The exercise will be India’s first digital census, allowing citizens to self-enumerate through a dedicated portal, a feature initially developed for the 2021 census. Additionally, the inclusion of caste enumeration marks a historic shift, as it will be the first time since India’s independence that caste data is officially collected.
Legal and Constitutional Framework
The census operates under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990, as mandated by Article 246 of the Indian Constitution (7th Schedule, Union List, Entry 69). The process is overseen by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, ensuring a systematic and standardized approach. The notification for the census, including the dates for its two phases, will be published in the official gazette on June 16, 2025, as per Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948. This legal framework ensures that the census adheres to constitutional mandates and provides reliable data for governance.
Historical Context
The Population Census-2027 will be the 16th decennial census since the first systematic census in 1872. It is the 8th consecutive census conducted after India’s independence in 1947. The first synchronous census, conducted in 1881 under W.C. Plowden, established the tradition of regular decennial counts. The 2027 census will continue this legacy, providing updated data after an unprecedented 16-year gap since the 2011 census.
Two-Phase Process of Census-2027
The census will be conducted in two phases, spanning approximately 11 months from April 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. Each phase serves a distinct purpose in collecting comprehensive data.
Phase I: House Listing and Housing Schedule
The first phase involves house listing, where enumerators record details of all buildings—permanent or temporary—along with their type, amenities, and assets. This phase establishes the foundation for the population count by mapping residential and non-residential structures across the country. The house listing phase is critical for understanding housing conditions and infrastructure, which informs urban and rural development policies.
Phase II: Population Enumeration
The second phase, population enumeration, collects detailed information on every individual residing in India, regardless of nationality. This phase, running from February 27 to March 1, 2027, will include the enumeration of caste alongside religion, marking a significant departure from previous censuses. The inclusion of caste data responds to long-standing demands for comprehensive demographic insights into India’s diverse social fabric.
Reference Dates
The census uses specific reference dates to ensure data accuracy:
- For the Union Territory of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date is 12 a.m. on October 1, 2026, due to their snow-bound conditions.
- For the rest of India, the reference date is 12 a.m. on March 1, 2027.
These dates ensure that the population count reflects a precise snapshot of India’s demographic landscape.
India’s First Digital Census
The Population Census-2027 will be a pioneering effort as India’s first digital census. The Office of the Registrar General of India has developed a self-enumeration portal, initially created for the 2021 census, which allows households to submit their data online. However, this option is available only to those who have updated their details in the National Population Register (NPR) online. The digital framework aims to streamline data collection, reduce errors, and enhance accessibility. Approximately 30 lakh enumerators, including government school teachers, will be trained to use a mobile application designed for the census, ensuring efficient data capture across 24 lakh enumeration blocks established for the 2021 census.
Caste Enumeration: A Historic Inclusion
The decision to include caste enumeration, announced by the Union Cabinet on April 30, 2025, is a landmark move. This will be the first time since the 1931 census that caste data is officially collected, addressing demands for a comprehensive caste census to inform reservation policies and social welfare schemes. Each individual will be required to declare their caste and religion, irrespective of whether they belong to the General Category, Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), or Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Why Caste, Not Class?
Sources emphasize that the census will focus on caste, not class, due to the complexity of OBC classifications. Unlike SC and ST lists, which are standardized, OBC lists vary between states and the central government. The National Commission for Backward Classes maintains the central OBC list for reservations in government jobs and educational institutions, while state governments manage their own, often more extensive, lists. This variability necessitates precise caste data to ensure accurate representation and policy formulation. A dedicated drop-down menu for caste will be added to the enumeration tables, alongside existing categories for SC and ST.
Significance of the Census
The Population Census-2027 is the principal source of official socioeconomic and demographic data, serving as the backbone for government schemes, policies, and planning. Its significance extends beyond mere population counting to shaping India’s governance and development trajectory.
Redrawing Lok Sabha Constituencies
Under the 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001, the first census after 2026 will serve as the basis for redrawing Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies. The current constituencies are based on the 1971 census, making the 2027 data critical for updating electoral boundaries. This delimitation will influence the 2029 general election and address population disparities across constituencies.
Women’s Reservation Law
The census data will also impact the implementation of the 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, as mandated by the women’s reservation law. This reservation will take effect after a delimitation exercise based on the 2027 census, ensuring equitable representation.
Policy and Planning
The census provides critical data for designing welfare schemes, infrastructure development, and resource allocation. By including caste data, the government can better address social inequalities and tailor policies to marginalized communities. The digital framework enhances data accuracy, enabling more effective governance.
Challenges and Controversies
The inclusion of caste enumeration has sparked debates, with some southern states expressing concerns over delimitation based solely on population. These states argue that population-based delimitation could disproportionately favor northern states with higher population growth, potentially reducing their political representation. Additionally, the absence of an announcement regarding the National Population Register (NPR) update has raised questions. The NPR, with a database of 119 crore residents, was intended to be updated during the 2021 census’s first phase. According to the Citizenship Rules, 2003, the NPR is a precursor to the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC/NRC), a process opposed by several Opposition-ruled states.
Enumerator Training and Logistics
The census will involve 30 lakh enumerators and supervisors, a significant portion of whom are government school teachers. These enumerators will undergo fresh training on the digital tools and mobile applications developed for the census. A key focus of the training will be on caste enumeration, ensuring enumerators are equipped to handle the new data category sensitively and accurately. The use of existing enumeration blocks from the 2021 census plan streamlines logistics, but the scale of the exercise remains daunting.
Public Participation and Self-Enumeration
The digital census introduces an opportunity for self-enumeration, allowing citizens to submit their data through the online portal. However, this feature is contingent on NPR updates, which may limit its accessibility. The government aims to balance digital and traditional enumeration methods to ensure comprehensive coverage, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Conclusion
The Population Census-2027 is a transformative exercise that combines digital innovation with the historic inclusion of caste enumeration. Conducted under the legal framework of the Census Act, 1948, and overseen by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, it will provide critical data for India’s governance and development. The two-phase process, spanning house listing and population enumeration, will culminate by March 1, 2027, with specific reference dates for snow-bound regions. The census’s outcomes will shape electoral boundaries, women’s representation, and social policies, making it a cornerstone of India’s future planning. As the nation prepares for this mega exercise, the focus on caste data and digital tools underscores its commitment to inclusivity and modernization.
FAQs
1.What is the Population Census-2027, and why is it significant?
The Population Census-2027 is India’s 16th decennial census, scheduled to conclude by March 1, 2027, and the first since 2011. It is significant as it will be India’s first digital census, allowing self-enumeration, and will include caste enumeration for the first time since 1931. The census provides critical socioeconomic and demographic data, shaping government policies, planning, and the redrawing of Lok Sabha constituencies for the 2029 general election.
2.How will the Census-2027 be conducted?
The census will be conducted in two phases: Phase I (House Listing) records details of all buildings, their type, amenities, and assets. Phase II (Population Enumeration), from February 27 to March 1, 2027, collects individual data, including caste and religion. Reference dates are October 1, 2026, for snow-bound areas (Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) and March 1, 2027, for the rest of India.
3.Why is caste enumeration included in the 2027 Census?
Caste enumeration, approved by the Union Cabinet on April 30, 2025, is included to provide comprehensive data on India’s social structure, addressing demands for a caste census. Unlike class, caste data is critical due to varying Other Backward Classes (OBC) lists across states and the central government, aiding in targeted reservation policies and social welfare schemes.
4.What makes the 2027 Census a digital census?
The 2027 Census is India’s first digital census, featuring a self-enumeration portal for households to submit data online, provided they have updated the National Population Register (NPR). Approximately 30 lakh enumerators will use a mobile application to collect data across 24 lakh enumeration blocks, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.
5.How will the Census-2027 impact electoral and reservation policies?
Under the 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001, the census data will be used to redraw Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies, affecting the 2029 general election. It will also facilitate the implementation of the 33% women’s reservation in Parliament and Assemblies, based on post-census delimitation, ensuring equitable representation.
