India to Conduct Two-Phase Census

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: 1^st 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 1^st October 2026.
Official Notification: A formal notification under the Census Act, 1948 will be published in the Gazette of India on 16^th 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.