Archive · 13 Dec 2025
Cabinet Approves ₹11,718 Crore for Digital Census 2027
The Indian government has approved a budget of ₹11,718 crore for the Census 2027.
This census will be the first to use digital tools like mobile apps and a central monitoring system.
It will happen in two parts: first, collecting information about houses from April to September 2026, and then counting the population in February 2027.
Special areas like Ladakh and some snowbound regions will be counted in September 2026.
The census will also include information about castes.
About 30 lakh people will help collect this data.
The census is important because it gives us information about how many people live in India, where they live, and what their lives are like.
This will be the 16th census in India and the 8th since the country became independent.
Cabinet approves ₹11,718 crore for Census 2027, to be conducted in two phases.
Phase 1: House Listing and Housing Census from April to September 2026.
Phase 2: Population Enumeration in February 2027, with caste enumeration included.
Digital tools like mobile apps and a Central monitoring portal will be used for data collection.
Approximately 30 lakh field functionaries and 18,600 technical workers will be involved, generating 1.02 crore man-days of employment.
- Who
- Indian Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- Approval of budget and plan for Census 2027
- When
- December 12, 2023 (approval), Census phases in 2026-2027
- Where
- India
- Why
- To conduct a comprehensive, digital census for socio-demographic data
Pro-Census
Privacy Concerns
Data Collection
Pro-Census
Proponents argue that the digital census will provide comprehensive and accurate data essential for policy-making and resource allocation.
Privacy Concerns
Critics express concerns about data privacy and the potential misuse of sensitive information collected during the census.
- Budget Approved
- ₹11,718 crore
- Census Phases
- House Listing (April-September 2026), Population Enumeration (February 2027)
- Digital Tools
- Mobile apps, Central monitoring portal, Self-enumeration options
- Workforce
- 30 lakh field functionaries
- Caste Enumeration
- Included in Population Enumeration phase
- Employment Impact
- 1.02 crore man-days, 18,600 technical workers
- Census Number
- 16th overall, 8th since independence
Sources
Census 2027: Cabinet approves ₹11,718 crore, introduces digital tools and caste enumeration
Cabinet approves ₹11,718 crore budget for Census 2027
Census 2027: Union Cabinet clears Rs 11,718 for the gigantic exercise
Union Cabinet approves scheme to conduct Census of India in 2027
Cabinet nod for India's first digital census in 2027
Union Census 2027: Cabinet clears Rs 11,718 cr budget, caste to be recorded for the first time
Census 2027: Cabinet approves Rs 11,718 crore allocation — What’s new this time?
Cabinet Approves Rs 11,718 Crore Budget for Census 2027
Cabinet clears ₹11,718-cr plan for digital-first Census 2027
Cabinet nod for first digital caste census in 2027
Bill to Set Up Single Higher Education Regulator Gets Cabinet Nod
Cabinet gives nod to 1st digital Census in 2027
Caste enumeration to be part of exercise: Govt sanctions Rs 11,718 cr for two-phase Census 2027
