The Union government has formally set the stage for Census 2027 by notifying the commencement of its first phase, known as houselisting operations, which will be conducted from April 1 to September 30, 2026. The notification, issued on Wednesday by the Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI), marks a significant milestone in the run-up to India’s 16th decennial census, an exercise that has been delayed in recent years and is now poised to be completed by March 1, 2027.

The houselisting phase is a foundational step in the census process. During this phase, enumerators will visit every household across all states and Union territories to collect detailed information on housing conditions, assets, and basic amenities available to each household. This exercise also enables census officials to map and list all residential structures, creating a comprehensive framework for the subsequent population enumeration phase.

Nationwide Exercise with Staggered Timelines

According to the gazette notification issued by Registrar General of India Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, houselisting operations will be carried out over a six-month window, but each state and Union territory will be allotted a specific 30-day period within this timeframe. This staggered approach is intended to ensure efficient deployment of manpower and resources, given the scale and complexity of the exercise.

“The Central government hereby declares that the houselisting operations of the Census of India 2027 shall take place between April 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 in all states and Union territories in India during the period of thirty days specified by each state and UT,” the notification stated.

In a significant departure from past censuses, the government has also introduced a self-enumeration option. Citizens will be able to fill in their houselisting details online during a 15-day window immediately preceding the start of door-to-door operations in their respective areas. This measure is expected to reduce the burden on field staff, improve data accuracy, and encourage public participation in what will be India’s first fully digital census.

Census 2027: A Long-Delayed but Landmark Exercise

Census 2027 holds particular importance as it will be the first census conducted after a gap of more than a decade. The previous census was carried out in 2011, and the 2021 census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming census will also be historic for another reason: it will include caste enumeration, a move that has significant social and political implications.

The census will be conducted in two distinct phases. The first phase, houselisting and housing census, focuses on households and physical infrastructure. The second phase, known as Population Enumeration (PE), will collect detailed information on every individual residing in each household.

What Happens in the First Phase

During houselisting operations, enumerators will go door to door to gather information on a wide range of indicators related to housing and living conditions. These include the type of house, construction material, number of rooms, availability of drinking water, sanitation facilities, electricity, cooking fuel, and ownership of assets such as televisions, vehicles, and internet access.

This phase also serves a crucial logistical purpose. Enumerators will map and number each residential structure, ensuring that no household is left out during the population count. The data collected during houselisting forms the backbone of the second phase, enabling accurate planning and allocation of enumerators for population enumeration.

Population Enumeration to Begin in 2027

The second phase of Census 2027, population enumeration, is scheduled to begin on February 1, 2027. During this phase, census officials will collect demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and other personal details of every individual living in each household. This includes age, gender, education, occupation, religion, caste, language, and other key indicators that help policymakers understand India’s social and economic landscape.

The entire census exercise is expected to conclude by March 1, 2027, after which data processing and analysis will begin. Given the digital nature of Census 2027, the government has indicated that results are likely to be made available much faster than in previous censuses.

Preparations Underway at the State Level

In preparation for the massive exercise, the RGI has directed all states and Union territories to complete key administrative steps well in advance. As reported earlier, states have been asked to appoint census functionaries, including principal census officers, district census officers, and special charge census officers, by January 15, 2026. These officials are required to register on the RGI’s dedicated census portal.

States have also been instructed to identify enumerators and supervisors early. Enumerators are the primary field-level workers responsible for data collection, while supervisors oversee and verify their work. According to RGI guidelines, one enumerator will be assigned to cover approximately 700 to 800 people, and one supervisor will monitor the work of six enumerators.

To ensure continuity and address unforeseen challenges, state authorities have been told to keep a reserve pool of around 10% additional enumerators and supervisors. This buffer is intended to handle contingencies such as staff shortages, illness, or logistical disruptions.

Budget and Digital Push

In December 2025, the Union Cabinet approved an allocation of ₹11,718 crore for conducting Census 2027. Announcing the decision, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw described the upcoming census as a transformative exercise, highlighting its digital-first approach.

Vaishnaw said Census 2027 would be the first of its kind to be conducted entirely through digital means, allowing data to be collected, processed, and disseminated in a much shorter time frame. He noted that the use of digital tools would enhance transparency, reduce errors, and improve the overall efficiency of the exercise.

The minister also revealed that approximately 18,600 technical personnel would be engaged at the local level for nearly 550 days to support various aspects of the census, including software development, data management, training, and technical support for field staff.

Significance for Policy and Planning

The census is widely regarded as the most comprehensive source of data on India’s population and living conditions. Information collected through Census 2027 will play a critical role in shaping government policies, determining the allocation of resources, planning infrastructure, and implementing welfare schemes over the next decade.

With the inclusion of caste data and the adoption of digital technology, Census 2027 is expected to provide deeper insights into India’s socio-economic realities. The successful execution of the houselisting phase from April 1 will be a crucial first step in ensuring the accuracy and credibility of this landmark national exercise.