Why India's 1st nationwide migration survey in 15 years matters
India is gearing up for its first nationwide migration survey since 2007-08, running from July 2026 to June 2027.
The goal? To finally get fresh data on who's moving, why, and where—since the last big update was way back in Census 2011.
With nearly a third of Indians having migrated by 2020-21 (and overall migrant numbers actually dropping by almost 12% since 2011), the government wants a clearer picture of what's really happening.
What will the survey cover?
This isn't just about counting people on the move.
The survey will look at why folks migrate—think jobs for men and marriage for women (which accounts for a whopping 87% of female migration).
It'll also cover short-term moves (as little as 15 days away from home), plus patterns like rural-to-city or state-to-state shifts, and how money gets sent back home.
Impact on policy and planning
The results, expected by mid-2027, will help shape everything from city planning and housing to job programs and social security.
For anyone interested in how India is changing—and what that means for young people looking ahead—this is one to watch.