Census 2027, India’s 16th national population count, officially began on April 1, 2026, marking the start of a six‑month Phase I housing and house‑listing operation that will involve asking households a set of 33 questions about living conditions, amenities and assets. This launch initiates what officials describe as the world’s largest digital census exercise, incorporating new methods for data collection and citizen participation.

Under the first phase — which runs from April 1 to September 30, 2026 — enumerators will collect basic information on residential structures, household members and infrastructural access. The questionnaire covers topics such as dwelling condition, access to drinking water, sanitation facilities, LPG connections, digital connectivity, and vehicle ownership, among other details. Residents can also participate through an optional self‑enumeration portal available in multiple languages, reflecting a significant digital shift in census methodology.

The self‑enumeration option allows individuals to submit their information online before an enumerator visits their home, a first in the history of India’s census operations. Officials say this is designed to streamline the process, improve accuracy and increase public engagement in data collection.

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Phase I lays the foundation for Phase II, scheduled to begin in February 2027, which will focus on population enumeration — counting every person and gathering demographic, socio‑economic and educational information. This later phase will also incorporate caste enumeration, a long‑anticipated feature that has attracted significant public and academic interest.

The census — conducted under the Census Act, 1948 — had been delayed from its original 2021 schedule and is now poised to provide key insights into India’s demographic trends. Government officials and planners regard it as critical for policy formulation, resource allocation and socio‑economic planning across sectors ranging from education and healthcare to infrastructure and social services.

Public cooperation is emphasised by authorities, who note that providing accurate information is a civic responsibility. Misreporting or refusal to cooperate could attract penalties under existing census law, underscoring the importance of reliable data for effective governance and national development.

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