16th Census Notification: Two Phase Exercise To Begin In 2027
New Delhi: The Indian government on Monday issued a notification for conducting India’s 16th census with caste enumeration in 2027. It will take place in two phases. The last census was conducted 16 years ago, in 2011.
The government informed that March 1, 2027, is the reference date for all states and Union territories (except Ladakh and snowbound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand). October 1, 2026, is the reference date for the remaining states and UTs.
Also Read | Identity Of 18 Air India Crash Victims Yet To Be Confirmed; Total Death Toll Still Unclear
“In respect of the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date shall be 00:00 hours of the 1st day of October, 2026,” read the home ministry’s notification.
The notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Census of India is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed preparations with senior officials, including Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Registrar General & Census Commissioner Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, on Sunday.
This census, the eighth since India’s independence, introduces caste enumeration, a historic move aimed at addressing socio-economic disparities. Conducted after a 16-year gap due to the Covid-19 delay of the 2021 census, the exercise will deploy 34 lakh enumerators and 1.3 lakh functionaries using mobile applications.
With stringent data security measures and a self-enumeration option, the census promises to modernise data collection while ensuring inclusivity, setting a global benchmark for digital enumeration in a diverse democracy.
Also Read | Tragedy In Pune: 2 Killed As Bridge Over Indrayani River Collapses; Several Missing
16th Census: 10 Important Points
First-Time Caste Enumeration:
For the first time, the census will include caste enumeration, aiming to provide insights into socio-economic disparities across communities.
Fully Digital Operation:
The census will be conducted entirely through mobile applications, marking India’s first fully digital demographic exercise.
Self-Enumeration Option:
Citizens will have the option to self-enumerate via digital platforms, enhancing accessibility and participation.
Massive Workforce Deployment:
Approximately 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors, supported by 1.3 lakh census functionaries, will execute the operation.
Two-Phase Process:
The census comprises the Houselisting Operation (HLO) for household data and Population Enumeration (PE) for demographic details.
Reference Dates Set:
The reference date is 1 March 2027, with 1 October 2026 for snow-bound areas like Ladakh.
Stringent Data Security:
Robust protocols, including end-to-end encryption, will ensure data security during collection, transmission, and storage, as per sources.
Post-Covid Delay:
The census, delayed from 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, follows the 2011 census after a 16-year gap.
Global Benchmark Potential:
If successful, this digital census could set a model for large-scale enumeration in democratic nations.
