The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹11,718-crore allocation for conducting Census 2027, marking the beginning of preparations for India’s largest data-collection exercise. The next census will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase scheduled between April and September 2026, followed by the second phase in February 2027.
The first phase will include house-listing operations and updating the National Population Register (NPR), while the second phase will involve the actual population enumeration. Officials noted that the extensive planning is aimed at ensuring accurate demographic, social, and economic data, which will play a crucial role in future policy formulation, welfare schemes, and resource allocation.
The approval signals the government’s intent to restart the census process after it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With digital data collection expected to be a key component this time, the 2027 census is likely to be India’s most technologically advanced enumeration exercise.
