India to Conduct Two-Phase Census
- 05 Jun 2025
On 4th June 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the Population Census 2027 will be held in two phases, including caste-based enumeration for the first time in decades, marking a significant shift in India's demographic data collection.
Key Points
- Reference Dates: 1st March 2027, will serve as the census reference date nationwide, except for Ladakh and snow-bound areas of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, where it will be 1st October 2026.
- Official Notification: A formal notification under the Census Act, 1948 will be published in the Gazette of India on 16th June, 2025.
- Legal Framework: The census will follow the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990, ensuring statutory backing and procedural continuity.
- Data Collection: For the first time since independence, caste enumeration will be officially included, reflecting growing calls for data-driven social justice policies.
- Historical Context: The last census was held in 2011, while the 2021 census was postponed due to COVID-19. Preparations had been completed in some states and UTs before the delay.
- Phased Structure: Like previous rounds, the census will include two parts—House Listing and Population Enumeration—conducted months apart for better logistical efficiency.
