India's long-awaited Census 2027 kicks off today
What's the story
The first phase of Census 2027, the houselisting operations, will begin on April 1 and continue till September 30. Each state and union territory will conduct the operation over a designated 30-day period. The second phase, population enumeration, will commence on March 1 next year, although it will begin in October 2026 for snow-bound states and union territories, such as Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Data collection
Key details of the survey
The first phase, namely, houselisting operations, will create a database of all structures, houses, and households. Census Commissioner Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan said the operation will include questions about building materials, purpose of use, number of occupants (if any), ownership details, and number of rooms. Enumerators will also collect information on amenities such as drinking water availability and source, electricity source, latrine access and type, and waste management methods used for disposal.
Public involvement
Enumerators to ask about gas connections, vehicles
Enumerators will also ask about gas connections used for cooking fuel, ownership of radios or televisions, internet access, and ownership of computers or mobile phones. Registered four- or two-wheeled vehicles will also be part of the survey. Answers can be submitted through forms in 16 languages within a 15-day window before HLOs start in a state or union territory.
Technology use
Data will remain confidential, government assures
Around 30 lakh census operators will use specially designed mobile apps for data collection. These apps are compatible with both iOS and Android devices and can function offline. The government has assured that all recorded data will remain strictly confidential. Answers for houselisting operations can also be submitted via forms available in 16 languages, but they need to be submitted in a 15-day window preceding the start of the operations in a state or UT.
Caste data
Caste enumeration in population enumeration phase
A key feature of the population enumeration phase, which will start on March 1, 2027, is the inclusion of questions about an individual's caste and sub-caste. This demand for caste enumeration has been strongly pushed by the opposition parties. Its inclusion was announced months before the 2025 Assembly election in Bihar, where over 63 per cent of the population comes from Backward or Extremely Backward Classes. The last comprehensive caste-based count was conducted by the British between 1881 and 1931.