Cabinet approves scheme of Conduct of Census of India 2027

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on December 12 approved the proposal to conduct the Census of India 2027 at an estimated cost of ₹11,718.24 crore. The Indian Census is the largest administrative and statistical exercise in the world.

Two-Phase Census Exercise

The Census of India 2027 will be conducted in two distinct phases:

1. Houselisting and Housing Census (HLHC):
   • April to September 2026
2. Population Enumeration (PE):
   • February 2027

First Fully Digital Census

Census 2027 will be the first Census to be conducted entirely through digital means in India.

• Data will be collected using mobile applications
• Apps will be available on both Android and iOS platforms
• Enumerators will use handheld digital devices instead of paper schedules

Census Management & Monitoring System

A dedicated digital platform, the Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal, has been developed to:

• Manage and monitor the entire Census process
• Enable real-time tracking and supervision
• Improve efficiency, transparency and data quality

Self-Enumeration Facility

For the first time, the public will be given the option of self-enumeration, allowing citizens to fill in their Census details online, enhancing participation and convenience.

Electronic Collection of Caste Data

The Census 2027 will capture caste data electronically during the Population Enumeration (PE) phase, marking a significant step in modernising demographic data collection.

Key Milestones

• 16th Census of India
• 8th Census after Independence
• Largest global administrative data collection exercise
• Entirely digital, real-time monitored enumeration

Source: PIB