The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially started preparations for Census 2027. On July 3 and 4, it held a two-day conference in Delhi to plan the process.

Planning Meeting Held in Delhi

Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, shared the details in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. According to him, the conference included Directors of Census Operations, senior officials from state offices, and members of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner’s office.

During the meeting, officials discussed key steps for the upcoming census. They focused on topics such as:

• Finalising the administrative units

• Collecting data using mobile applications

• Managing operations through the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS)

• Introducing self-enumeration for citizens

• Training field staff

Gazette Notification Issued

Earlier, on June 16, 2025, the government published a gazette notification. This marked the formal start of the Census 2027 process.

Moreover, the MHA confirmed that this census will be different. For the first time, it will include a caste enumeration. As the MHA said, “It has been decided to conduct Population Census-2027 in two phases along with enumeration of castes.”

Different Timelines for Different Regions

Furthermore, the census will use different reference dates based on region.

• In most states, the reference date will be March 1, 2027, at 00:00 hours.

• However, in cold and snow-bound areas like Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be October 1, 2026, at 00:00 hours.

Use of Digital Technology

Importantly, the government plans to use digital tools to modernize the process. Data will be collected via mobile apps, and people will also have the option for self-enumeration online. The CMMS portal will help officials track and monitor progress.

Why the 2021 Census Was Delayed

To recall, India last conducted a census in 2011. The next census was scheduled for 2021, and preparations were completed. Phase one was set for April–September 2020, and phase two for February 2021.

However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the government to delay the operation.

Looking Ahead

Now, with Census 2027 in motion, the government aims to carry out one of the most detailed and advanced population surveys in India’s history.