NEW DELHI, January 8, 2026 — The Government of India has formally notified the commencement of the next national population count, officially titled Census 2027, marking the launch of India’s long-awaited 16th Census exercise.
According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the census will be conducted in two distinct phases, with the first phase — the Houselisting and Housing Census — scheduled to take place between April 1 and September 30, 2026.
First Phase: Housing and Household Mapping
During the first phase, states and union territories will carry out surveys over a designated 30-day period within the six-month window. Enumerators will collect data on residential structures, housing conditions, and access to basic amenities such as drinking water, sanitation, electricity, and household assets. This phase lays the groundwork for the subsequent population enumeration.
Second Phase: Population Enumeration in 2027
The second phase, involving the detailed Population Enumeration, is planned for early 2027, with the official reference period centred around March 1, 2027. In snow-bound and difficult-to-access regions — including Ladakh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand — the population count will be conducted earlier, around September 2026, to avoid weather-related disruptions.
First Fully Digital Census
Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital census, with data collection carried out using mobile applications on government-issued Android and iOS devices. The exercise is expected to involve approximately 30 lakh enumerators and supervisory staff, significantly reducing dependence on paper-based processes.
In a major technological shift, the government has also announced a self-enumeration option, allowing households to voluntarily submit their information online through a dedicated portal or mobile application during a limited window prior to field visits. Officials said this measure is intended to improve accuracy, reduce enumeration time, and minimise manual errors.
Inclusion of Caste Enumeration
For the first time since Independence, the upcoming census will include a comprehensive caste-wise enumeration across the country. The decision follows a Cabinet-level approval and responds to long-standing demands for updated socio-economic data to support policy planning, welfare targeting, and social justice initiatives.
Officials clarified that the scope, format, and safeguards for the caste data collection will be communicated in detail closer to the population enumeration phase.
Significance and Expectations
The notification of Census 2027 marks a critical step after repeated delays to the decennial exercise, originally due in 2021. Policymakers, economists, and state governments have emphasised the importance of updated census data for governance, fiscal planning, constituency delimitation, and welfare delivery.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that further operational guidelines, training schedules, and public awareness campaigns will be rolled out in phases as preparations advance.
