The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal for conducting the Census of India 2027, marking a historic milestone in the country’s administrative and statistical journey. With a sanctioned outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore, the upcoming census is set to be the largest population enumeration exercise in the world and the first in India to be conducted entirely through digital means.

The decision underscores the government’s renewed focus on data-driven governance, inclusive policymaking, and technological modernization. Census 2027 will not only provide an updated demographic snapshot of India but will also introduce several transformational initiatives, including digital data collection, real-time monitoring systems, caste enumeration, and an option for self-enumeration.

Two-Phase Census Exercise: Timeline and Coverage

The Census of India 2027 will be conducted in two distinct phases, following the established methodology but with significant technological upgrades.

The first phase, known as the Houselisting and Housing Census, is scheduled to take place between April and September 2026. During this phase, enumerators will collect data related to housing conditions, assets, amenities, and household characteristics.

The second phase, the Population Enumeration (PE), will be conducted in February 2027 across most of the country. However, due to climatic and geographical considerations, the population enumeration for the Union Territory of Ladakh and snow-bound, non-synchronous areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will be carried out earlier, in September 2026.

Together, these two phases will ensure complete coverage of India’s entire population, reaffirming the census as the most comprehensive data collection exercise undertaken by the government.

A Massive Administrative Undertaking

The Indian Census is widely regarded as the largest administrative and statistical exercise globally, and Census 2027 will be no exception. The government plans to deploy around 30 lakh field functionaries, including enumerators, supervisors, master trainers, charge officers, and principal or district census officers.

Enumerators—who are typically government school teachers appointed by state governments—will conduct fieldwork alongside their regular professional responsibilities. Additional census officials at sub-district, district, and state levels will be appointed by respective administrations to oversee monitoring, coordination, and implementation.

All census personnel will receive a suitable honorarium, acknowledging the scale and importance of the work they will perform beyond their routine duties.

India’s First Fully Digital Census

One of the most defining features of Census 2027 is its transition to a completely digital ecosystem. For the first time in India’s history, census data will be collected using mobile applications, available on both Android and iOS platforms.

According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who addressed the media after the Cabinet meeting, the digital design of the census has been developed with data protection and security at its core. The shift to digital data collection is expected to enhance accuracy, minimize manual errors, and significantly reduce the time required for processing and publishing results.

Advanced Digital Infrastructure for Real-Time Monitoring

To support this massive digital operation, the government has developed a dedicated Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal. This centralized platform will enable real-time tracking and supervision of census activities across the country, allowing authorities to address issues promptly and ensure timely completion of tasks.

Another major innovation is the Houselisting Block (HLB) Creator web map application, designed for use by Charge Officers. This tool will assist in creating accurate and standardized enumeration blocks, ensuring seamless field operations and better geographical mapping.

Option for Self-Enumeration and Strong Data Security

In a significant move toward citizen participation, Census 2027 will introduce an option for self-enumeration, allowing individuals to submit their information digitally. This initiative is expected to enhance convenience, improve response rates, and reduce the burden on field staff.

Given the scale of data being collected, the government has emphasized that robust security features have been incorporated into the digital census framework. These measures aim to safeguard personal information and maintain the integrity of the data throughout the collection, transmission, and storage processes.

Inclusion of Caste Enumeration

A key policy decision related to Census 2027 is the inclusion of caste enumeration. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, in its meeting held on April 30, 2025, approved the inclusion of caste data in the upcoming census.

With India’s vast social and demographic diversity, the collection of caste-related data is expected to play a crucial role in shaping inclusive welfare policies and targeted development initiatives. Caste data will be collected electronically during the Population Enumeration phase, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

Data Dissemination and Census-as-a-Service

The government has outlined ambitious plans to ensure that census data is not only accurate but also easily accessible and actionable. One of the key objectives is to make census results available in the shortest possible time after data collection.

Enhanced data visualization tools will be used to present information in a user-friendly manner. Data will be shared down to the lowest administrative unit—village and ward levels—enabling policymakers, researchers, and administrators to access granular insights.

A major innovation in this regard is Census-as-a-Service (CaaS), which will deliver clean, machine-readable, and actionable datasets to various ministries and departments. This approach is expected to significantly improve evidence-based decision-making across sectors.

Employment Generation and Capacity Building

Beyond its statistical importance, Census 2027 is poised to generate substantial employment and skill-building opportunities. To complete various tasks associated with the census, approximately 18,600 technical personnel will be engaged at local levels for about 550 days.

This translates to nearly 1.02 crore man-days of employment, contributing meaningfully to short-term job creation. Moreover, the involvement of technical manpower at charge, district, and state levels will foster capacity building in digital data handling, monitoring, and coordination—skills that are likely to enhance future employment prospects for those involved.

Public Awareness and Outreach Campaign

Recognizing the importance of widespread participation, the government plans to roll out a focused and extensive publicity campaign for Census 2027. The campaign will aim to raise nationwide awareness, encourage inclusive participation, ensure last-mile engagement, and provide support for field operations.

Emphasis will be placed on disseminating accurate, authentic, and timely information, fostering public trust and cooperation throughout the census process.

Historical Context and Legal Framework

Census 2027 will be the 16th census of India and the eighth conducted after Independence. Over the decades, the census has remained the single largest source of primary data at the village, town, and ward levels.

It provides critical micro-level information on a wide range of parameters, including housing conditions, amenities and assets, population demographics, religion, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, language, literacy and education, economic activity, migration, and fertility.

The census is conducted under the statutory framework of the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990, which provide the legal basis for data collection and confidentiality.

A Transformational Exercise for India’s Future

As India prepares for Census 2027, the exercise represents far more than a population count. It is a cornerstone of governance, shaping policies, resource allocation, electoral boundaries, and development planning for years to come.

With its emphasis on digital transformation, inclusivity, data security, and timely dissemination, Census 2027 is set to redefine how India collects and uses demographic data—making it not only the world’s largest census, but also one of its most technologically advanced.

With inputs from agencies

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