New Delhi: In a major step toward updating the country’s demographic profile after a long hiatus, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the go-ahead for the next national census, scheduled for 2027. The government has sanctioned a total outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore for this massive undertaking, which will become the 16th census in India’s history and the eighth since the country became independent.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the upcoming census as the world’s biggest administrative and statistical operation. He emphasized its role in gathering essential information that guides policy decisions across sectors.
Caption: The government has sanctioned a total outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore for the 16th census in India’s history and the eighth since the country became independent.
Two-Stage Rollout to Cover Every Corner of the Nation
The exercise will proceed in two carefully planned stages to ensure thorough and manageable execution:
- Housing and Household Mapping Stage – Running from April through September 2026, teams will record details about dwellings, amenities, and household assets nationwide.
- Population Counting Stage – Set primarily for February 2027, this phase will collect individual-level data. In colder, high-altitude regions prone to heavy snowfall—specifically the Union Territory of Ladakh, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand—the counting will take place earlier, in September 2026, to avoid weather disruptions.
Field teams will visit every single home across urban and rural areas, using distinct sets of questions for the housing survey and the population count. This door-to-door approach guarantees complete coverage of India’s vast and diverse population.
A Leap into Digital Census Operations
For the first time ever, the entire census will rely completely on digital tools. Enumerators will input information directly through specially designed mobile applications that work on both Android and iOS devices. To keep track of progress nationwide, authorities have built a central online platform called the Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS), which provides live updates on every aspect of the operation.
Another new digital feature is a web-based mapping tool that helps local officers define and manage enumeration blocks efficiently. Citizens will also have the choice to fill in their own details online through a secure self-enumeration portal, making participation easier and more convenient.
Strong cybersecurity measures have been put in place to safeguard the huge volume of sensitive data collected during this technology-driven process.
Caste Details to Be Recorded for the First Time in Decades
Addressing long-standing demands for more detailed social indicators, the government has decided to include questions on caste during the population counting phase. This decision, finalized by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs in April 2025, recognizes the need for accurate data to better understand India’s complex social fabric and support targeted welfare initiatives.
Unprecedented Workforce Mobilization
The scale of the operation requires an enormous on-ground presence. Roughly 30 lakh personnel will be deployed, ranging from frontline enumerators—mostly school teachers taking on this extra responsibility—to supervisors, trainers, and senior officers at district and state levels. State governments and local administrations will handle appointments and provide appropriate compensation for the additional workload.
On the technical side, around 18,600 skilled workers will be hired temporarily for approximately 550 days, creating over one crore man-days of employment. Many of these roles involve digital data management and coordination, offering valuable skill-building opportunities that could benefit participants in future jobs.
Faster, Smarter Data for Better Governance
Once collected, the information will be processed and shared more quickly and effectively than ever before. A new service called Census-as-a-Service (CaaS) will supply ministries and departments with ready-to-use, well-organized datasets. Policymakers will be able to access detailed statistics—right down to individual villages or urban wards—through interactive dashboards and visualization tools.
The census will capture a wide range of indicators: population size and growth, age and gender distribution, literacy levels, employment patterns, migration trends, religious composition, availability of household amenities, and more. These insights serve as the foundation for planning everything from welfare schemes to infrastructure development.
Nationwide Campaign to Build Trust and Participation
To achieve maximum accuracy and cooperation, the government plans an extensive awareness drive. The campaign will focus on clear, reliable messaging to encourage every citizen to take part, dispel doubts, and ensure smooth fieldwork, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Looking Back: A Long-Awaited Update
India’s census tradition began with a scattered count in 1872, but regular decadal exercises started later. The responsibility lies with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs, governed by laws passed in 1948 and rules framed in 1990.
The most recent full census took place in 2011. The exercise originally planned for 2021 had to be postponed because of the global health crisis, leaving a significant gap in fresh demographic data. The 2027 census will finally fill that void with modern methods and broader scope.
With its blend of cutting-edge technology, inclusive data collection, and massive organizational effort, Census 2027 represents more than just a headcount—it is a critical tool for shaping India’s future policies and development priorities in the coming decade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will the Census of India 2027 take place?
The census will be conducted in two phases. The first phase (Houselisting and Housing Census) will run from April to September 2026. The second phase (Population Enumeration) is scheduled for February 2027 in most parts of the country. In snow-bound areas of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, population counting will happen in September 2026.
2. Will the 2027 census be fully digital?
Yes, this will be India’s first completely digital census. Data will be collected using dedicated mobile applications available on both Android and iOS devices. Citizens will also have the option to self-enumerate online, and a real-time monitoring portal (Census Management & Monitoring System) has been developed for the entire operation.
3. Will caste details be collected in Census 2027?
Yes. Following a decision by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs in April 2025, caste information will be captured electronically during the Population Enumeration phase (second phase) of the census.
4. How much will the Census 2027 cost, and who approved it?
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the census on December 12, 2025, with a total budget of ₹11,718.24 crore.
5. Why was the census delayed, and when was the last one conducted?
The census originally planned for 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last complete census in India was conducted in 2011. Census 2027 will be the 16th census in the country and the 8th since Independence.
