New Delhi: The first phase of India’s Census 2027 will commence with the household listing exercise from April 1 to September 30, 2026, according to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday. During this period, citizens will also have the option of self-enumeration for the first time in India’s census history.
Two-Phase Digital Census
Census 2027 will be conducted in two digital phases:
- April–September 2026: Household listing and dwelling enumeration across all states and Union Territories. Each state and UT will carry out the exercise over a 30-day period as specified by the respective administration.
- February 2027: Population enumeration.
As per the MHA notification, the self-enumeration option will be available 15 days prior to the start of the 30-day household listing exercise.
A Decade in the Making
India conducts a census every ten years, but the 2021 Census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the release of this schedule, the decennial population exercise officially begins, marking the first fully digital census in the country’s history.
Census 2027 Budget Approval
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Census 2027 in December 2025 with a budget of ₹11,718.2 crore. The latest population enumeration phase will also include caste-based data, continuing India’s commitment to comprehensive demographic documentation.
Significance of the Digital Shift
According to Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Mr. Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, this digital-first approach is expected to streamline data collection, improve accuracy, and allow citizens more participation. It represents a major step forward in modernizing India’s demographic infrastructure while maintaining the decade-long tradition of census-taking.
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