The Government of India, through the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI), has begun fieldwork for the first phase of Census 2027 — the Houselisting and Housing Census — around April 13, 2026, in several states. This is India's first decennial census since 2011; the 2021 Census was postponed repeatedly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other logistical reasons, making this the first census to be conducted after a gap of sixteen years. The Census is being held in two phases — the Houselisting and Housing Census phase from April 2026 to September 2026 in most states, followed by the Population Enumeration phase with a reference date of March 1, 2027 (October 1, 2026 for snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand). For the first time since 1931, Census 2027 will collect caste data for all castes, not just Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, following the Union Cabinet's 2025 decision to enumerate castes. The exercise is being conducted under the Census Act 1948 and Census Rules 1990 by around three million enumerators. Technology integration is a major change: enumerators will use the Census Mobile App for digital data capture, and the Self-Enumeration Portal will allow citizens to fill in their own details online, with unique reference codes linked to the enumeration blocks. Data points collected in Phase 1 include condition and material of the house, ownership status, access to drinking water, toilets, electricity, LPG, internet, assets such as vehicles, smartphones, television and computers. Phase 2 will capture demographic details — age, sex, religion, language, caste, literacy, economic activity, migration, fertility and disability. The Census is expected to reshape delimitation under Article 82, welfare targeting, reservation policy debates and development planning for the next decade.
Census 2027 Houselisting Phase Begins; First Census in 16 Years Will Also Collect Caste Data and Use Digital Self-Enumeration
India has begun the Houselisting phase of Census 2027 around April 13, 2026, its first decennial census in 16 years. Population Enumeration will follow with reference date March 1, 2027. For the first time since 1931, all caste data will be collected. Census will use digital self-enumeration under the Census Act 1948, and will drive delimitation, welfare and reservation decisions.
Key facts
- Census 2027 Houselisting phase begins around April 13, 2026
- First decennial census in sixteen years
- Two phases: Houselisting (Apr-Sep 2026) and Population Enumeration (ref date Mar 1, 2027)
- First since 1931 to collect caste data for all castes
- Conducted under Census Act 1948 and Census Rules 1990
- Uses Census Mobile App and Self-Enumeration Portal
- Around three million enumerators
- Will inform delimitation under Article 82 and reservation policy debates
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the significance of Census 2027's Houselisting phase beginning in April 2026, highlighting caste enumeration, digital self-enumeration, and implications for delimitation under Article 82.
Answer (50 words):
India began Census 2027's Houselisting phase around April 13, 2026 — the first decennial census since 2011 after a 16-year gap. Conducted under Census Act 1948 by three million enumerators, it uses a Census Mobile App and Self-Enumeration Portal. For the first time since 1931, all castes will be enumerated, reshaping reservation policy.
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The Census 2027 exercise is conducted under which of the following laws?
The decennial Census of India is conducted under the Census Act 1948, a central law enacted to provide for the taking of a census. The detailed operational framework, including duties of enumerators, confidentiality, penalties and schedules, is contained in the Census Rules 1990. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI), a statutory office under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for planning and conducting the Census. The Collection of Statistics Act 2008 covers other statistical surveys, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 is a general data protection law, not the basis for the Census.
Source: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India
Frequently asked questions
Under which law is the Census of India conducted?
The Census is conducted under the Census Act 1948, which empowers the central government to notify the intention to hold a census and frame rules for its conduct. The detailed operational framework is contained in the Census Rules 1990, and the exercise is coordinated by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI).
Why is this the first census since 1931 to collect full caste data?
India has conducted Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe enumeration in every census, but did not enumerate other castes since 1931. In 2025, the Union Cabinet decided to enumerate castes for all citizens in the 2027 Census to enable evidence-based policymaking on welfare, reservation and social justice.
What will the Census 2027 be used for?
Census data will drive policy on welfare targeting, reservation debates, fiscal devolution by the Finance Commission, delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies under Article 82 of the Constitution, and development planning for health, education, housing, water and sanitation programmes.
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