India’s Census 2027

June 6, 2025

Current Context : India is set to conduct its next population census by March 1, 2027.

Announced on 4 June 2025: The 16th Census will be digital, conducted in two phases, and include caste enumeration (first since 1931).

About Census :

Constitutional & Legal Framework:
1. Conducted under: Census Act, 1948 & Census Rules, 1990.
2. Last full census carried out in 2011; the 2021 exercise was postponed due to COVID-19.
Phases & Reference Dates:
1. Phase I (House Listing):
  - Timeline: April 1, 2026 – February 28, 2026 (approx.).
  - Activities: Listing all buildings; collection of housing & ancillary information; National Population Register (NPR) update (digital).
2. Phase II (Population Enumeration):
  - Timeline: March 1 – March 31, 2027 (most states).
  - Snow-bound Areas (Ladakh, parts of J&K, HP, Uttarakhand): Reference date: October 1, 2026.
3. First Digital Census:
  - Enumerators will use a mobile application for data collection.

Historic Significance: First caste count since 1931; crucial for mapping socio-political dynamics.

First Census: Conducted in 1872 (under British Raj) as a house-to-house headcount; not fully decennial.
First Decennial Census: Began in 1881, with subsequent exercises every ten years.