What is Census 2027, and when will it happen?

Census 2027 is India’s first population count since 2011. It was originally due in 2021 but was postponed because of the COVID pandemic.

It is happening in two phases:

• Houselisting and housing census: from April to September 2026, with each state choosing a 30-day window. This phase lists every building and household and collects details about housing and amenities.
• Population enumeration: in February 2027, when details of every person are recorded. The official reference moment is midnight on 1 March 2027. Snow-bound areas such as Ladakh were counted earlier, with a reference date of 1 October 2026.

For the first time, the census is fully digital, with enumerators using mobile apps, and people can also fill in their own details online during a self-enumeration window. It will also count caste for the first time since 1931.