New Delhi

The Centre has announced that Census 2027 will be held in two phases, with the intent formally notified on June 16, 2025. House Listing and Housing Census will be carried out from April to September 2026, followed by Population Enumeration in February 2027, referencing March 1.

For Ladakh and snow-bound areas of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, enumeration will take place in September 2026 with a reference date of October 1.

Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha that the 2027 census will also include caste enumeration for the first time in more than 70 years, following an April 2025 decision of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs.

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The exercise will be India’s first digital census, with data collected through mobile apps, supported by paper schedules where required. A pre-test was conducted from November 10–30, 2025 to evaluate digital systems and survey logistics. The move provides clarity after the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the 2021 census.