India’s First Digital Census: Cabinet Approves ₹11,718 Crore for 2027 National Count

The Indian government has approved a massive budget for its next national population survey. On December 12, 2024, the Union Cabinet cleared an allocation of ₹11,718.24 crore for Census 2027. The announcement was made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.This funding paves the way for India’s sixteenth census. It will be the eighth such exercise conducted since the country gained independence.

A Landmark Shift to Digital Data Collection

Census 2027 marks a historic departure from paper-based methods. For the first time, data collection will be conducted entirely through digital means. According to government statements, enumerators will use mobile applications on Android and iOS devices.Two dedicated digital platforms have been developed. The Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal will oversee the entire operation in real time. A separate web map application will help officials manage and define geographical blocks for the survey.This digital shift aims to drastically improve data quality and speed. Officials state it will enable cleaner, more accurate information to guide national policy.

Unprecedented Scale and Phased Execution

The logistical scale of the operation is immense. The government plans to deploy approximately 30 lakh (3 million) field functionaries. This army includes enumerators, supervisors, and trainers across the nation.The census will be conducted in two distinct phases. The Houselisting and Housing Census is scheduled for April to September 2026. The main Population Enumeration will follow in February 2027.Some regions will follow a different schedule due to weather. Snow-bound areas in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will have their Population Enumeration in September 2026. The Union Territory of Ladakh is also included in this earlier phase.

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The approval of funds for Census 2027 sets the stage for India’s most technologically advanced population count. This digital-first approach promises to deliver critical data faster, shaping the nation’s development roadmap for the coming decade.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: When will Census 2027 actually happen?

The exercise is split into two phases. The first phase, Houselisting, runs from April to September 2026. The main population count happens in February 2027 for most of the country.

Q2: What makes this census different from previous ones?

This will be India’s first fully digital census. Data will be collected via mobile apps instead of paper, aiming for greater accuracy and faster processing. Real-time monitoring will also be possible.

Q3: How many people will be involved in conducting it?

The government estimates deploying around 3 million (30 lakh) field workers. This includes enumerators, supervisors, and training staff across all states and union territories.

Q4: Will the data be publicly available?

Yes. Officials promise data dissemination will be more user-friendly. Policy-makers and researchers should be able to access required parameters quickly through a new “Census-as-a-service” model.

Q5: Why is the census conducted in phases?

Phasing allows for systematic data collection. Houselisting first creates a frame of all living quarters. The Population Enumeration phase then collects detailed demographic data from individuals in those listed households.