Politics · India · 1 day ago
India allows private-school teachers to work on 2027 census
India has changed its census rules to include private-school teachers as census workers.
The change, made by the central government, covers teachers at government and private educational institutions, along with government and local-authority officials and clerks.
State governments and union territory administrations can also appoint other people they consider suitable.
The change comes ahead of India's 2027 census, which was delayed from 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The census will take place in two stages: first, homes will be listed and housing information collected; then the population will be counted.
The government has approved 11,718 crore rupees for the census, described as the country's largest so far.
Some areas will follow a different timetable, while the main process in much of the country is expected to begin in February 2027.
India has amended its census rules to allow teachers from private schools to work as census enumerators.
The revised rules also include teachers from government, local-authority and other listed educational institutions, as well as government clerks and officials.
State governments and Union Territory administrations may also appoint other people they consider suitable.
The 2027 census will be conducted in two phases: housing and house-listing, followed by the population count.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of Home Affairs amended the rules; eligible enumerators include private-school teachers and other listed workers.
- What
- The change allows private-school teachers to work on the census.
- When
- The amendment was notified on October 16, 2026. The census is planned for 2026 and 2027.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The amendment broadens the range of people who can be appointed as census enumerators.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026.
House-listing and housing census work took place in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and the snow-bound areas of Uttarakhand.
Population counting is scheduled for Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and areas outside Uttarakhand’s snow-bound regions.
House-listing and housing census work is expected to begin in the rest of the country.
- Amendment
- Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026
- Eligible teachers
- Teachers at government, local-authority, aided and unaided private educational institutions, societies or trusts
- Other eligible workers
- Government, state and local-authority clerks and officials
- Census budget
- ₹11,718 crore
- Census phases
- House-listing and housing census; population count
- Population count dates
- December 1, 2026–January 4, 2027 in Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and most of Uttarakhand
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Ministry of Home Affairs notifies the Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026