Cabinet Clears ₹11,718 Crore Census 2027 Plan
India to conduct its first fully digital census; caste data to be captured in Population Enumeration phase
- Cabinet approves ₹11,718.24 crore for Census of India 2027
- First-ever digital census with mobile apps and real-time monitoring portal
- Enumeration in two phases across 2026–27; self-enumeration option included
- Caste data to be collected electronically in Population Enumeration
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th Dec: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the scheme for conducting the Census of India 2027 at a total cost of ₹11,718.24 crore, marking a landmark shift toward India’s first completely digital census process.
As per the approved framework, the census will take place in two phases. The Houselisting and Housing Census will be conducted between April and September 2026, while the Population Enumeration will be held in February 2027. For Ladakh, snow-bound regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the Population Enumeration will be carried out earlier, in September 2026. Nearly 30 lakh field staff will be involved in the nationwide operation.
A key highlight of Census 2027 is its full digital transition. Data will be collected through specially developed mobile applications available on both Android and iOS platforms. To support real-time supervision of this massive exercise, the government has created a Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal. Citizens will also have the option to self-enumerate, marking another first for the national census.
The Cabinet also reiterated its decision to include caste enumeration in the census. This data, to be captured electronically during the Population Enumeration phase, is expected to provide more detailed insights into India’s socio-economic landscape.
New digital tools such as the HLB Creator web map application will assist officials in houselisting block creation. With robust digital security measures in place, the government aims to ensure a seamless and secure data-collection process.
The digital model will bring faster data dissemination, with a new “Census-as-a-Service (CaaS)” framework allowing ministries to access machine-readable datasets for policy planning. This shift is expected to significantly improve the quality and accessibility of census information.
To execute the census, an estimated 18,600 technical personnel will be hired for nearly 550 days, potentially generating over 1 crore man-days of employment. Officials say the digital experience gained through this exercise will enhance future job prospects for engaged personnel by building capacities in data handling and coordination.
The government plans a nationwide publicity campaign to ensure thorough public awareness and participation. Officials emphasised that the Census 2027 will focus on accuracy, inclusivity and transparency, ensuring that data from every village, ward and household is recorded.
Census 2027 will be India’s 16th census and eighth since Independence. Conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990, the exercise remains the country’s most vital source of granular demographic and socio-economic data, informing governance, welfare schemes, and development planning at the grassroots level.
