The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on December 12, 2025 approved the scheme for the Conduct of Census of India 2027 with a financial outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore — the largest-ever investment in an Indian census. The 2027 census will be India's first fully digital census, using mobile applications for data collection (available on Android and iOS), a Central portal for real-time monitoring, and geospatial mapping for enumeration accuracy. The census will be conducted in two phases: Phase I — Houselisting and Housing Census (April–September 2026) — and Phase II — Population Enumeration (February 2027). Approximately 30 lakh field functionaries will be deployed. The most politically significant provision is the inclusion of caste enumeration for all communities — the first such comprehensive caste count since 1931 under British India. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs had approved caste enumeration in April 2025. Previously, only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were enumerated by caste in post-independence censuses. The digital census will also capture housing data, living standards, and amenity access, providing a comprehensive socio-economic baseline. The National Population Register (NPR) update is not part of this exercise. The self-enumeration option allows citizens to fill in their own data through a portal, reducing enumerator burden. The data from Census 2027 will inform welfare schemes, delimitation of constituencies (after 2026 Delimitation Commission), and evidence-based policymaking across sectors.
Union Cabinet Approves India's First Digital Census 2027 with Caste Enumeration: ₹11,718 Crore Scheme to Deploy 30 Lakh Personnel
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on December 12, 2025 approved the scheme for the Conduct of Census of India 2027 with a financial outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore — the largest-ever investment in an Indian census. The 2027 census will be India's first fully digital census, using mobile applications for data collection (available on Android and iOS), a Central portal for real-time monitoring, and geospatial mapping for enumeration accuracy. The census will be conducted in two phases: Phase I — Houselisting and Housing Census (April–September 2026) — and Phase II — Population Enumeration (February 2027). Approximately 30 lakh field functionaries will be deployed. The most politically significant provision is the inclusion of caste enumeration for all communities — the first such comprehensive caste count since 1931 under British India. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs had approved caste enumeration in April 2025. Previously, only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were enumerated by caste in post-independence censuses. The digital census will also capture housing data, living standards, and amenity access, providing a comprehensive socio-economic baseline. The National Population Register (NPR) update is not part of this exercise. The self-enumeration option allows citizens to fill in their own data through a portal, reducing enumerator burden. The data from Census 2027 will inform welfare schemes, delimitation of constituencies (after 2026 Delimitation Commission), and evidence-based policymaking across sectors.
Key facts
- Union Cabinet approved India's first digital Census 2027 with ₹11,718 crore outlay on December 12, 2025.
- Census 2027 will use mobile apps, a central portal, and geospatial mapping for data collection.
- Phase I covers Houselisting (April-September 2026); Phase II covers Population Enumeration (February 2027).
- Approximately 30 lakh field functionaries will be deployed for the census exercise.
- For the first time since 1931, comprehensive caste enumeration of all communities will be conducted.
- Self-enumeration option allows citizens to fill data through a portal, reducing enumerator burden.
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Frequently asked questions
When did the Union Cabinet approve Census 2027, and what is its total financial outlay?
The Union Cabinet approved the Census 2027 scheme on December 12, 2025, with a financial outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore — the largest-ever investment in an Indian census.
What makes Census 2027 historically unique compared to all previous Indian censuses?
Census 2027 will be India's first fully digital census, using mobile apps for data collection, a central portal for real-time monitoring, and geospatial mapping. It also includes comprehensive caste enumeration of all communities for the first time since 1931.
What are the two phases of Census 2027 and their scheduled timelines?
Phase I covers Houselisting and Housing Census (April–September 2026), and Phase II covers Population Enumeration (February 2027). Approximately 30 lakh field functionaries will be deployed across both phases.
What is the self-enumeration option in Census 2027 and what purpose does it serve?
The self-enumeration option allows citizens to voluntarily fill in their data through an online portal, reducing the burden on field enumerators and improving data accuracy in urban and semi-urban areas.
Why is caste enumeration in Census 2027 constitutionally and politically significant?
Comprehensive caste enumeration for all communities has not been conducted since 1931 — nearly 94 years. The data can inform reservation policies, welfare targeting, and social justice legislations, making it constitutionally significant under Articles 15, 16, and 340.
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