Archive · 6 Jun 2025
India's 2027 Census: Digital Shift and Political Concerns
India is preparing for its next census in 2027, which will gather information about everyone in the country.
This time, the census will use apps on smartphones to collect information faster.
For the first time, it will also collect data about people's castes.
The digital method should help to get the information out quickly, and is planned to be completed in March 2027.
Some people are worried that the way the census is done could affect how many representatives each state has in the government.
Some states with slower population growth might lose some representation in the government.
The 2027 Census will use mobile apps for data entry, aiming for faster processing and publication of data.
For the first time since 1931, caste data will be collected, along with individual household information.
The census is set to conclude by March 2027; the date for the two phases will be published tentatively on June 16.
The census is linked to the delimitation exercise; those states with lower population growth are concerned about reduced representation.
The digital census aims for timely, quality data for policy and effective scheme implementation.
- Who
- Residents of India, government officials, and enumerators.
- What
- The 2027 Census will collect comprehensive data, including caste information, using digital methods, potentially impacting parliamentary representation.
- When
- The Census is scheduled to conclude by March 2027, with a reference date of March 1, 2027, for most areas, and earlier for some states. The HouseListing phase is planned for 2026, prior to the reference date.
- Where
- Across India, particularly focusing on urban and rural areas within states like Telangana.
- Why
- To gather updated demographic data for policymaking, social justice initiatives, and potentially to inform the delimitation of constituencies.
Southern States/Opposition
Central Government
Census Delay and Delimitation
Southern States/Opposition
Critics, including Tamil Nadu's CM and others, allege the census delay is deliberate, driven by political motivations to influence parliamentary representation, potentially reducing representation for southern states after delimitation.
Central Government
The government delayed the census due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MHA stated the delimitation exercise will address concerns of the southern states and discussions will be held at the appropriate time.
- Completion Target
- March 2027
- Data Collection Method
- Digital with Mobile Apps
- Key Feature
- Caste Enumeration
- Reference Date (Most Areas)
- March 1, 2027
- HouseListing Phase
- 2026
- Approximate number of enumerators
- 30 lakh
Sources
BJP delays census to reduce TN’s seats: CM
Census from March 2027: Caste enumeration to be part of exercise
Population count, caste census to begin from March 1, 2027
No reason to delay for 23 months, says Congress after government announces Census schedule
SP jibe at BJP: Caste census will be held under PDA govt
Census to begin April 2026, caste to be part of survey
Government to count castes, not classes in 2027 census: Sources
Census delayed to speed up delimitation: P Chidambaram
Delimitation will address concerns of southern States: MHA
Telangna gears up for Census, mulls updating enumeration blocks
Two mobile apps, portal to aid in speedy processing of Census 2027 data
Watch | Census 2027: A political weapon for the DMK? | Focus Tamil Nadu
