The Government of India has officially notified the roadmap for the 16th Indian Census. This exercise is landmarked as the nation’s first-ever digital census and includes the historic addition of caste enumeration.
1. Official Schedule & Phases
The Census will be conducted in two distinct phases:
| Phase | Activity | Timeline |
| Phase I | Houselisting & Housing Census | April 1 – Sept 30, 2026 |
| Phase II | Population Enumeration (PE) | February 2027 |
| Special Case | PE for Snow-bound areas (Ladakh, HP, UK) | September 2026 |
- State Window: Each State/UT will choose a specific 30-day window within the Phase I period for house-to-house listing.
2. Digital Innovation & Self-Enumeration
- Mobile-First: Data collection via dedicated Android and iOS apps.
- Self-Enumeration: Citizens can fill their own data online. This facility opens 15 days prior to the start of the house-to-house listing in their respective areas.
- Paperless: This marks the end of traditional paper-based forms, ensuring faster data processing.
3. Caste Enumeration & Special Features
- Caste Inclusion: Decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, the 2027 Census will include caste-wise data collection for the first time in independent India’s census history.
- Scope: It covers all States and Union Territories.
- Reference Date: For the general population, the reference point is March 1, 2027.
4. Logistics & Financials
- Total Budget: ₹11,718.24 crore (Approved by the Union Cabinet).
- Workforce: 30 lakh field functionaries (Enumerators, Supervisors, and Charge Officers).
- Hierarchy: Managed by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
