NEWS – Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital census, enabling faster data availability.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Conducted in two phases:

• • House-listing & Housing Census: April 2026
  • Population Enumeration: February 2027

• Self-enumeration option introduced for the first time via a dedicated web portal.
• Data collection to use mobile apps (Android/iOS) in English, Hindi & regional languages.
• Enumerators will use their own devices to collect and upload data directly to a central server.
• Focus on faster processing and early release of census data (unlike 2–3 year delays previously).
• Reference dates:

• • March 1, 2027 – Pan India
  • October 1, 2026 – Ladakh, J&K, snowbound areas of HP & Uttarakhand

• • Caste data of household members will be recorded.
• Training structure:

• • Three-tier: National → Master → Field Trainer
  • ~34 lakh enumerators/supervisors to be trained

• Awareness campaign for inclusive and last-mile participation planned.
• States/UTs must finalize administrative boundaries by Dec 31, 2026.
• This will be the 16th Census of India, and 8th after Independence.