India Census 2027: Next Janganana in India Set for Digital Enumeration

India Census 2027: Next Janganana in India Set for Digital Enumeration

Why in the News?

The Union Home Ministry has notified that the next Census of India, also known as India Census 2027, will be conducted in 2027, using digital infrastructure and advanced data collection methods. The notification freezes changes in administrative boundaries, and over 34 lakh enumerators and census functionaries will be deployed to carry out the operation.

India Census 2027: Next Janganana in India Set for Digital Enumeration

Census 2027 Notification and Timeline:

  • The Registrar-General of India, who serves as the Census Commissioner of India, issued a Gazette notification for Census 2027.
  • The census reference date will be March 1, 2027, except for Ladakh, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, where it is October 1, 2026.
  • Administrative boundaries are now frozen—States can’t alter maps of districts, tehsils, or police stations until the Census concludes.

Digital Approach and Security Measures

  • The upcoming population census will be digitally driven, with mobile census technology and a dedicated census app used for data collection.
  • Self-enumeration will be an option for citizens through an online portal.
  • The Ministry has assured strict census data privacy measures during collection, transmission, and storage of population data.
  • A pre-test phase will precede full enumeration to test census app functionality and enumerator readiness, ensuring quality control in the census enumeration process.

Deployment and Related Developments

  • Around 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors will be engaged, along with 1.3 lakh census functionaries.
  • The population census will occur in two phases: House Listing Operations and Population Enumeration.
  • The caste census, which hasn’t been conducted since 1931, will be part of the enumeration process. The census app includes a drop-down caste directory to prevent duplication.
  • No fresh notification yet for National Population Register (NPR) update, which was last done in 2015 and linked to NRC plans.

About Census-2027:

● Census-2027 is India’s 16th decennial census, continuing the rich census history of India.

● Conducted by the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India, under Census Act, 1948 and Rules, 1990.

● First digital census using mobile and web apps, marking a significant advancement in census history of India since the first census in India.

● The Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal will be used to monitor and manage operations.

● Two phases:

○ House-listing phase (Apr–Sep 2026): Details on housing and amenities.

○ Population Enumeration (Feb 27–Mar 1, 2027): Collection of demographic data, economic, and caste data.

● Self-enumeration enabled through NPR portal, allowing citizens to participate in the census enumeration process.

● The caste census after 1931 will use a code directory in the app to prevent duplication of entries.

The India Census 2027 represents a significant leap in the census history of India, employing cutting-edge digital infrastructure and mobile census technology. This modernization of data collection methods aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of gathering crucial demographic data and socio-economic data. The use of a dedicated census app and smartphone data collection techniques will streamline the process for both enumerators and citizens.

The Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) will play a pivotal role in overseeing the entire operation, ensuring real-time monitoring and quality control. This system will facilitate real-time processing of data, allowing for quicker analysis and dissemination of India population statistics.

As the next janganana in India approaches, the focus on digital tools for census operations highlights the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for better governance. The inclusion of GPS integration in the census app will further enhance the accuracy of data collection, particularly in mapping households and population distribution.

The census timeline, carefully planned to account for regional variations, ensures comprehensive coverage across the nation. The house-listing phase will provide valuable insights into housing conditions and amenities, while the subsequent population enumeration will capture detailed demographic data.

With the integration of a caste census for the first time since 1931, the India Census 2027 is set to provide a comprehensive picture of the country’s social fabric. The use of pre-coded responses and a detailed code directory in the census app will help in standardizing data collection and reducing errors.

As we approach the census day, it’s clear that the India Census 2027 will be a landmark event in the country’s statistical history. The combination of traditional enumeration methods with advanced digital infrastructure promises to deliver the most accurate and comprehensive population data to date, setting a new standard for future censuses in India and potentially influencing data collection methods globally.