India schedules Census 2027 houselisting from April to September 2026, with population count in February 2027

The Hindu
The Hindu
1h ago
India’s Census 2027 houselisting phase will run from April 1 to September 30, 2026 across all States and Union Territories, with population enumeration scheduled for February 2027 and caste identities to be recorded then.
India schedules Census 2027 houselisting from April to September 2026, with population count in February 2027
A What happened
The Census 2027 houselisting operations phase will be conducted from April 1 to September 30, 2026 across all States and Union Territories. Each State and Union Territory will conduct houselisting over a 30-day period, with dates to be notified by the States, and a self-enumeration option will be available for 15 days before the start of houselisting. The population enumeration phase will be conducted in February 2027, and caste identities will be enumerated during that phase. About 30 lakh field functionaries will be deployed for data collection, monitoring, and supervision, and they will be paid an honorarium.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Caste enumeration is scheduled for the population enumeration phase: Caste identities will be enumerated during the February 2027 population enumeration phase.

  • 2

    Self-enumeration is built into the houselisting schedule: A self-enumeration option will be available for 15 days immediately before the 30-day house-to-house houselisting period in each State and Union Territory.

  • 3

    Large-scale staffing is planned for Census operations: About 30 lakh field functionaries will be deployed for data collection, monitoring, and supervision, and they will receive an honorarium for this work.

Takeaways

India has set a nationwide April–September 2026 window for Census 2027 houselisting and a February 2027 schedule for population enumeration that includes caste identities.

Topics

World & Politics Policy & Regulation Governance

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