Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Manipur Census Deferred Amid NRC Demand and Political Tensions
The government planned to count households in Manipur as part of the 2027 Census.
Some groups want the government to check who is an Indian citizen before counting the population.
They are worried that migration, people being displaced by conflict, and changing population numbers could affect the results.
They also worry that the numbers could change how political seats are divided.
Protests were held, including one attended by about 2,000 women.
After a meeting led by Amit Shah, the government delayed the house-listing work in Manipur.
The Manipur High Court also paused the exercise and will hear the matter again on October 12.
Kuki-Zo groups disagree with doing an NRC first and say reliable Census data should come before such a citizenship exercise.
The BJP and Congress have broadly supported the demand for NRC before the Census.
The Union government deferred Manipur’s Census 2027 house-listing exercise after a review chaired by Amit Shah on September 1.
Citizens’ and students’ groups want the National Register of Citizens completed before the Census and any delimitation exercise.
Protesters have cited migration, demographic change, displacement and political representation as reasons to oppose holding the Census immediately.
The Manipur High Court separately placed the Census and house-listing exercise on hold; its next hearing is scheduled for October 12.
Kuki-Zo groups oppose an NRC before the Census, while the BJP and Congress have broadly supported the demand for NRC first.
- Who
- The Union government, Amit Shah, Manipur authorities, the Manipur High Court, citizens’ and students’ groups, and Kuki-Zo organisations.
- What
- The Union government deferred the Census 2027 house-listing exercise in Manipur, while the Manipur High Court also placed it on hold.
- When
- The decision was made on September 1; the house-listing exercise had been scheduled to begin on September 1, and the next court hearing is set for October 12.
- Where
- Manipur, with the review meeting held in New Delhi and court proceedings in Imphal.
- Why
- Groups demanded that the National Register of Citizens be completed before the Census and delimitation, citing migration, demographic change, displacement and political representation concerns.
NRC-Before-Census Advocates
Kuki-Zo Groups Opposing NRC First
Order of exercises
NRC-Before-Census Advocates
Citizens’ groups, students’ groups and the United Naga Council want an NRC before the Census and delimitation to distinguish citizens from alleged illegal immigrants and address demographic concerns.
Kuki-Zo Groups Opposing NRC First
The Kuki-Zo Council calls an NRC before the Census premature and unjustified, arguing that credible demographic data should be collected first.
Migration and citizenship
NRC-Before-Census Advocates
Supporters point to alleged migration from Myanmar and elsewhere, demographic change and new settlements as reasons for a citizenship-verification exercise.
Kuki-Zo Groups Opposing NRC First
Kuki-Zo organisations say allegations concerning their community are unsubstantiated and could question the citizenship of people whose families have lived in Manipur for generations.
Political representation
NRC-Before-Census Advocates
Sections of the valley political class fear that a Census followed by delimitation could alter the existing 40:20 Assembly-seat balance between the valley and hills.
Kuki-Zo Groups Opposing NRC First
The Kuki-Zo Council supports delimitation based on verified demographic data rather than delaying it for a separate NRC.
- Census exercise
- The Union government deferred Census of India 2027 house-listing operations in Manipur.
- Review meeting
- The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
- Main demand
- Citizens’ and students’ groups want the National Register of Citizens completed before the Census and delimitation.
- Protest turnout
- Around 2,000 women attended one rally at Keishampat Junction in Imphal West.
- Court status
- The Manipur High Court placed the Census and house-listing exercise on hold after submissions from the Centre.
- Next hearing
- The Manipur High Court scheduled the next hearing for October 12.
- Assembly distribution
- Manipur currently has 60 Assembly seats: 40 in the valley and 20 in the hills.
