Published: 4 March 2026OrganiserGovernance
Amit Shah Unveils Census 2027 Mascots 'Pragati' and 'Vikas' with Digital Platforms
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled two mascots — 'Pragati' (female enumerator) and 'Vikas' (male enumerator) — for the upcoming Census 2027 on March 5, 2026. He also soft-launched four digital platforms for India's first fully digital census, featuring self-enumeration, mobile apps, and advanced monitoring tools.
The mascots symbolise equal participation of women and men in nation-building. Census 2027 will be the first Indian census to offer self-enumeration via a mobile app, alongside traditional door-to-door enumeration. The last census was conducted in 2011, with the 2021 exercise postponed due to COVID-19. The digital tools will enable real-time data collection and quality monitoring across India's 640,000+ villages.
0Mains angle
Q: Discuss the distinctive features of Census 2027 and its implications for evidence-based governance in India.
Answer (50 words):
On 5 March 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled Census 2027 mascots Pragati and Vikas, along with four digital platforms enabling India's first fully digital census. Self-enumeration via a mobile app will complement door-to-door enumeration across 640,000+ villages, following the 2021 exercise that was postponed due to COVID-19.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the names of the Census 2027 mascots unveiled by Amit Shah?
Union Home Minister **Amit Shah** unveiled two mascots on **March 5, 2026**: **'Pragati'** (female enumerator) and **'Vikas'** (male enumerator), symbolising equal participation of women and men in nation-building for Census 2027.
How many digital platforms were launched for Census 2027 and what makes it unique?
**Four digital platforms** were soft-launched for Census 2027, making it India's **first fully digital census**. It will offer self-enumeration via a **mobile app** alongside traditional door-to-door enumeration, covering India's **640,000+ villages** with real-time data monitoring.
When was the last Indian census conducted and why was the 2021 census delayed?
The last Indian census was conducted in **2011**. The 2021 census exercise was **postponed due to COVID-19** and has not yet taken place, making the upcoming **Census 2027** the first in 16 years.
What is the significance of self-enumeration in Census 2027?
Census 2027 will be the **first Indian census to offer self-enumeration**, allowing citizens to fill in their own data via a **mobile app**. This alongside traditional door-to-door enumeration aims to improve accuracy and coverage across India's vast geography.
What digital tools were introduced alongside the Census 2027 mascots Pragati and Vikas?
Alongside the mascots, four digital platforms were launched including a **mobile self-enumeration app**, real-time data collection tools, and quality monitoring systems. These tools aim to enable faster and more accurate census data collection across India's **640,000+ villages**.
