Census 2027 is scheduled to begin on 1st April !

The census is structured in two phases, with the first phase comprising 33 questions !

New Delhi – The ‘Census 2027’ process is set to commence across the country from April 1. This year’s census will be more comprehensive and distinct from previous exercises in several aspects. It will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a total of 33 questions related to daily life will be asked to collect relevant information, while the second phase will focus on gathering caste-based data. This was stated by Registrar General and Census Commissioner Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan from the Ministry of Home Affairs during a press conference held on 30th March.

Key Points Presented by Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan !

1. This will be a fully digital process, incorporating comprehensive questions on citizens’ lifestyles.

2. The personal information collected during this exercise will be kept strictly confidential. It will not be disclosed under the Right to Information Act, nor will it be admissible as evidence in any court of law. Furthermore, the data will not be shared with any other agency. The information provided by citizens will remain fully secure.

3. In the first phase of the census, information regarding households and available amenities will be collected, while the second phase will record the social, economic, and other details of individuals residing in each household. Notably, a self-enumeration facility has been introduced for the first time, enabling citizens to submit their information online within a specified period of 15 days.

4. Although citizens will provide their information themselves through self-enumeration, officials will conduct door-to-door verification based on identity documents. Consequently, the likelihood of errors is expected to be minimal.

5. Regarding caste-based data, Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan clarified that this question will be included in the second phase. Details will be shared once the final structure of the questionnaire is finalized.

6. The government has finalized a total of 33 questions for the first phase. These will cover information about households. Questions related to family will include the name of the head of the household, gender, social group, number of family members, and marital status. Detailed information about household amenities will also be collected, including the source of drinking water, electricity supply, presence and type of toilet, wastewater management, kitchen facilities, and availability of gas connection, among other details.

7. The economic status of the family and availability of resources will also be assessed. Information will be recorded regarding whether the household has a television, internet connection, laptop, telephone, bicycle, two-wheeler, or four-wheeler vehicles.

8. In this census, ‘live-in’ couples (cohabiting without formal marriage) will also be recognized as equivalent to married couples. Guidelines regarding this provision have been included in the official question-and-answer instructions.

9. This census will be conducted entirely using modern technology. Data will be collected through a digital system developed by ‘C-DAC’.

10. The census process will commence from April 1, 2026, with the reference date set as March 1, 2027. In hilly and snow-prone regions such as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the process will begin from October 1, 2026.

11. The estimated expenditure for this extensive exercise is expected to exceed ₹11,000 crore. District-level officials, state machinery, and the central government will work collaboratively to execute the process. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the entire exercise will be completed within the planned timeframe.