The Central Government has officially notified the commencement of the 2027 Census, marking a historic move as India prepares for its first nationwide caste-wise and fully digital population census. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the details, confirming that the census will be carried out in two phases across the country.
According to the notification, the first phase will focus on house listing and housing census, while the second phase will gather comprehensive social, economic, and cultural data of individuals. The entire process will be carried out digitally with the use of a custom mobile application, replacing traditional paper-based enumeration.
To execute the mammoth operation, the government will deploy around 34 lakh surveyors and 1.3 lakh supervisory officers across India. This large-scale workforce will ensure smooth and accurate data collection, with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity and data privacy.
In a bid to make the process more accessible, citizens will be allowed to participate in self-enumeration, enabling them to submit their data online through a secure portal. This is seen as a step toward empowering citizens and promoting transparency.
The reference date for the census has been set as March 1, 2027, for most parts of the country. However, for snow-covered regions, where access may be limited during that period, the reference date will be October 1, 2026.
This will be India’s eighth census since independence and the sixteenth overall. It is expected to offer critical insights into the nation's demographic, economic, and cultural landscape and will serve as a foundational document for future policy-making and development planning.
The government has also clarified that the previously issued 2019 Census notification has been officially cancelled, although any work or preparations undertaken under that notification will still be considered valid and relevant for the 2027 census.
Highlighting the importance of this massive exercise, officials have reiterated that the 2027 Census will play a crucial role in guiding India's developmental trajectory, especially with its inclusion of caste data and emphasis on digital integration.