India issues official notification for 2027 Census.
India Issues Official Notification for 2027 Census, First Since 2011
New Delhi: In a historic move, the Government of India has officially issued a notification to conduct the country’s 16th national census, which will include caste enumeration for the first time since 1931. The long-delayed population count—originally scheduled for 2021 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic—will now be carried out in 2027, 16 years after the last census in 2011.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the census will be conducted in two distinct phases and will incorporate a digital data collection system with advanced technology and strong data security measures.
Two-Phase Operation
The census exercise will be carried out in two phases:
- Phase One – Houselisting Operation (HLO):
This will include the collection of information related to the housing conditions, assets, access to basic facilities like electricity and sanitation, and ownership details of each household. - Phase Two – Population Enumeration (PE):
The second phase will cover detailed demographic data including population, age, gender, marital status, occupation, language, literacy, religion, and for the first time in decades, caste data.
Caste Enumeration to be Included
A major development in this census is the decision to include caste enumeration, which has been a long-standing demand of various political parties, civil society groups, and state governments.
While a Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) was carried out in 2011, it was not considered part of the official decennial census process. With the 2027 census set to include caste details, it is expected to have a profound impact on policymaking, welfare schemes, and affirmative action programs.
Massive Workforce & Digital Push
All personnel involved in the operation will be equipped with digital tablets and mobile devices to ensure faster and more efficient data collection.
One of the notable features of the 2027 census will be the option for self-enumeration, allowing citizens to fill out their census information online, marking a major shift from traditional door-to-door methods.
Leadership & Oversight
He was accompanied by Union Home Secretary, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, and other senior officials.
The leadership emphasized the importance of rigorous planning and robust digital infrastructure to ensure that the census is completed on schedule and without errors.
Stringent Data Security Measures
The Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that stringent data protection measures will be put in place to secure information during every stage—collection, transmission, and storage.
Given the sensitivity of demographic and caste-related information, the government has assured that the data will be anonymized, encrypted, and handled in strict compliance with privacy standards.
“Very stringent data security measures would be kept in place to ensure data security at the time of collection, transmission and storage,” the notification stated.
Nationwide Awareness and Participation
The government is expected to launch a nationwide awareness campaign to ensure full participation from the public, especially in rural and remote areas. Special emphasis will be placed on training the enumerators, enabling citizens to understand the new digital process, and providing technical support for self-enumeration.
Experts and political analysts believe that the 2027 census, with its inclusion of caste and digital innovations, could become a landmark exercise in the history of Indian governance. It holds potential to reshape everything from electoral politics and public policy to budget allocations and targeted welfare schemes.
Tags: India Census 2027, Caste Enumeration, Amit Shah, Digital Census, Home Ministry, Registrar General of India, Self-Enrolment, Data Security, Population Count