Census 2027: India’s Next Demographic Milestone
Syllabus: Governance | Indian Society | Population & Related Issues (UPSC GS II)
Source: PIB
Context:
On World Population Day (July 11, 2025), India announced its preparations for Census 2027, marking a historic shift towards a fully digital, inclusive, and technologically advanced census. The census, delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was originally scheduled for 2021 and is now set to be conducted in two phases, starting April 2026.
World Population Day 2025 Theme:
“Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world.”
- India has a young demographic with 65% of the population under 35 years, offering demographic dividends and policy challenges.
- On June 16, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified the launch of Census 2027, India’s first-ever digital and inclusive census.
Historical Background of Census in India:
- Ancient roots: Found in Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Abul Fazl’s Ain-i-Akbari.
- First modern census: 1872 (non-synchronous); 1881 (first synchronous and pan-India census).
- Post-Independence: Census conducted every 10 years from 1951 to 2011, governed under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990.
Significant Milestones (1951–2011):
- 1951: Introduced field re-checking (quality assurance).
- 1961: Documented rural crafts, fairs, and festivals.
- 1971: First census to record internal migration data.
- 2001–2011: Full digitisation using ICR technology; large-scale printing and multilingual surveys.
Key Highlights of Census 2011:
- Total Population: 1.21 billion
- Growth (2001–2011): Increase of 182 million
- Child Sex Ratio: 918 females/1000 males
- Population Density: 382 per sq. km
- Literacy Rate: 73% (Male: 80.9%, Female: 64.6%)
- Top Literacy States: Kerala (94%), Lakshadweep (91.8%), Mizoram (91.3%)
Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011:
- Conducted by Ministry of Rural Development (rural) and MoHUA (urban)
- First paperless census using 6.4 lakh handheld devices
- Enabled targeted welfare delivery
- Addressed 1.24 crore claims with 99.7% resolution rate
Revolutionary Features of Census 2027:
1. Caste Enumeration:
- For the first time since independence, caste enumeration for all communities will be included.
- Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) have been the only groups officially enumerated so far.
- Now integrated into the census to avoid political misuse and ensure transparent inclusion.
2. Digital Transformation:
- Mobile App-based data collection
- Online self-enumeration portal
- Multilingual census monitoring portal
- Code Directory for streamlined data processing
- Over 35 lakh field functionaries to be trained
- In-built validation checks for accuracy
Operational Framework:
- Two Phases:
- Phase 1 – Houselisting & Housing Census: Begins April 2026
- Phase 2 – Population Enumeration: Conducted in 2027
- Reference Dates:
- March 1, 2027 (for most parts of India)
- October 1, 2026 (for Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand)
Significance of Census 2027:
- Will be the largest digital population exercise globally
- Facilitates evidence-based policy, inclusive governance, and welfare targeting
- Establishes India as a leader in demographic data systems in the digital era
- Fosters better understanding of India’s socio-cultural, economic, and caste dynamics
Conclusion:
India’s Census 2027 will mark a historic convergence of tradition and technology. It reflects the nation’s resolve to embrace digital transformation, ensure inclusive representation, and uphold data-driven policymaking. With caste enumeration, mobile data collection, and online self-enumeration, Census 2027 will set a new global benchmark for demographic studies and participatory governance.
