Cabinet approves Census of India 2027 at Rs. 11,718 crore. India’s first fully digital census will include caste enumeration, mobile app data collection, real-time monitoring, and Census-as-a-Service, covering the entire population nationwide.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the proposal for conducting the Census of India 2027, marking a historic milestone in the country’s demographic and administrative journey. The nationwide exercise will be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs. 11,718.24 crore, reaffirming the government’s commitment to data-driven governance and inclusive development.
The upcoming census will be the 16th Census of India and the 8th since Independence, and notably, it will be the first fully digital census in the country’s history. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the Cabinet decision while briefing the media after the meeting, highlighting the transformative nature of Census 2027.
Backbone of Policy and Planning
The Census of India remains the largest and most comprehensive source of primary data at the village, town, and ward levels. It provides micro-level insights across critical parameters such as housing conditions, household amenities and assets, population demographics, religion, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, language, literacy and education, economic activity, migration patterns, and fertility indicators.
Conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990, the exercise forms the legal and institutional backbone of India’s statistical system. Policymakers, researchers, administrators, and development agencies rely on census data to design welfare schemes, allocate resources, plan infrastructure, and monitor social progress.
Two-Phase Census Timeline
The Census of India 2027 will be conducted in two distinct phases:
Houselisting and Housing Census (HLH):
Scheduled from April to September 2026, this phase will collect data on housing conditions, household amenities, and assets.Population Enumeration (PE):
To be conducted in February 2027 across most of the country.
For Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, population enumeration will be carried out earlier, in September 2026, due to climatic constraints.
The census will cover the entire population of India, making it the world’s largest administrative and statistical exercise.
Digital Transformation of Census Operations
A defining feature of Census 2027 is its digital-first approach. Data collection will be carried out using mobile applications compatible with both Android and iOS platforms, replacing traditional paper-based methods. This shift is expected to enhance data accuracy, reduce processing time, and improve transparency.
To oversee this massive operation, a dedicated Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal has been developed. The portal will enable real-time monitoring, supervision, and coordination of census activities at national, state, district, and sub-district levels.
Another significant innovation is the Houselisting Block (HLB) Creator web map application, which will assist charge officers in accurate territorial demarcation and efficient field management.
Census-as-a-Service and Data Accessibility
The government has also introduced the concept of Census-as-a-Service (CaaS), which will allow ministries and departments to access clean, machine-readable, and actionable data. This initiative aims to ensure faster dissemination of census results and user-friendly access to critical datasets, enabling evidence-based decision-making at the click of a button.
An option for self-enumeration will also be provided to citizens, supported by robust data security and privacy safeguards to protect sensitive personal information.
Massive Human Resource Deployment
Approximately 30 lakh field functionaries will be deployed for Census 2027, including enumerators, supervisors, master trainers, charge officers, and district and principal census officers. Enumerators, who are typically government school teachers appointed by state governments, will carry out census duties alongside their regular responsibilities.
All census personnel will be paid suitable honorarium in recognition of their additional workload and the national importance of the exercise.
Inclusion of Caste Enumeration
In a significant policy decision, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, in its meeting on April 30, 2025, approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in Census 2027. Given India’s vast social and demographic diversity, caste data will be collected electronically during the Population Enumeration phase, adding a critical dimension to socio-economic analysis and policy formulation.
Nationwide Awareness Campaign
To ensure maximum participation, Census 2027 will be supported by a focused and wide-ranging publicity campaign. The outreach strategy will emphasize accurate and timely information, inclusive participation, last-mile engagement, and operational support for field staff, ensuring cohesive execution across the country.
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With its digital backbone, expanded data scope, and emphasis on transparency and inclusivity, Census of India 2027 is set to redefine how demographic data is collected, analyzed, and used in the world’s largest democracy.
