The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Monday that the Government of India plans to conduct the next Population Census in 2027, marking the country’s first national census in 16 years. This decision comes after the postponement of the 2021 Census due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the official notification, the census will be carried out in two phases across the nation. The government has established specific reference dates for the enumeration process that take into account the varying geographical and climatic conditions of different regions.
“The reference date for the said census shall be 00:00 hours of March 1, 2027, for all States and Union Territories,” the notification states. However, for the Union Territory of Ladakh and the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date is set for 00:00 hours of October 1, 2026.
This announcement signifies the official start of preparations for what is considered the largest administrative and statistical exercise globally. The upcoming census will be conducted under the Census Act of 1948 and will replace the earlier notification issued in March 2019.
The previous census, conducted in 2011, was the last completed cycle. The decadal census cycle faced its first interruption since India gained independence when the COVID-19 pandemic led to the delay of the 2021 enumeration. The timeline for the 2027 census indicates a return to normal operations, with expectations for technological advancements and improved data accuracy playing crucial roles.
Officials are also considering the potential for enhanced digital tools in the 2027 Census for data collection, though additional guidelines and timelines for the preparatory phases have yet to be released.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/india-to-conduct-next-population-census-in-2027-mha-issues-gazette-notification-1229629-2025-06-16?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-06-16 12:45:00
