Next Census to conclude by March 2027, says government

The next Census exercise, to be held after a long 16-year gap, will be finished by March 1, 2027, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Wednesday (June 4, 2025). This will be the first digital Census for India, and will include caste-based details as well.
The census will be conducted in two phases by February 28, 2027, and the data will have a reference date of 12 a.m. on March 1, 2027. The government has, although, not yet notified when the exercise will begin. The notification of the Centre's intention to conduct the census, and the dates of the two phases will be 'published in the official gazette tentatively on June 16 as per provision of section 3 of the Census Act 1948.'
For the Union Territory of Ladakh and the non-synchronous snow-bound areas of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date for the population count will be 12 a.m. on October 1, 2026.
As per the constitutional mandate, the first census after 2026 can be used as the basis to redraw Lok Sabha constituencies. The next general election is expected to be held in 2029.
India's census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990, and will be completed in two phases: first, the house listing and housing schedule; and then, the population enumeration. Both phases usually span a period of 11 months from April 1 to February 28 the following year. This time around, caste will be enumerated in the second phase.
'A significant addition to the training manual would be the enumeration of caste. Another drop box to record the castes is likely to be added next to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) tables, the only two categories counted so far,' a senior government official said.
The Hindu's Editorials
The Hindu's Daily Quiz
Landslide in an army camp of which State led to the death of three soldiers?
Chhattisgarh
Jharkhand
Sikkim
Mizoram
To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

No respite for Maoists this monsoon in Bastar, says Amit Shah, operations to continue without break

RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday sent a stern message to Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh, stating that anti-Naxal operations will not pause during the monsoon season, a period traditionally seen as a tactical break due to inaccessible terrain. 'Every time during the rainy season, Naxalites used to get rest, but this time, we will not let them sleep,' Shah said while addressing a gathering in Nava Raipur during his two-day visit to Chhattisgarh. 'We will move further to achieve the target of 31/3 (March 31, 2026), the deadline set to eliminate Naxalism.' Ruling out any negotiations or dialogue with Maoists, Home minister Amit Shah instead made a direct appeal to them, 'Lay down arms and join the mainstream life and hop on the journey of development. Avail the benefits of the surrender policy. There is no need for talks. Just give up armed struggle and become a part of the mainstream.' "I wholeheartedly welcome all those who have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream. I assure them that every promise the Chhattisgarh govt and the Centre have made to them will be fulfilled, and we will try to help you beyond that," he added. Union Home Minister was speaking at the foundation stone laying event for two landmark projects in Chhattisgarh: a National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) campus and a Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. The twin projects, spread over 40 acres, aim to make Chhattisgarh a hub for scientific investigation and evidence-based justice. Later in the day, Shah is scheduled to chair a meeting of Director Generals of Police (DGPs) and Additional DGPs of Chhattisgarh and six neighbouring states on anti-Naxal operations, after which he will take part in a meeting on the security situation and ongoing operations against Left Wing Extremism. On Monday, Shah will visit a Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Narayanpur district, where he will interact with security personnel and Naxalism-affected villagers.

The Hindu

an hour ago

• The Hindu

U.S. strikes Iran's key nuclear sites: What next?

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday (June 22, 2025) said the country has carried out a 'very successful attack' on three Iranian nuclear sites — Fordo, Natanz and Esfahan — including the crucial underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo. He made the surprise announcement just two days after saying he had opened a two-week window for diplomacy. Trump made the comments at the White House Saturday night, hours after announcing the US military had carried out strikes against three key nuclear facilities in Iran. He also warned Tehran against carrying out retaliatory attacks against the US, saying Iran has choice between 'peace or tragedy'. He said that he worked 'as a team' with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Iran, saying the collaboration was 'perhaps' like 'no team has worked before. Trump called Iran 'the bully of the Middle East' and warned of additional attacks if it didn't make peace. 'If they do not, future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier,' Trump said at the White House after the bombings of Iran's nuclear facilities were announced earlier. He warned Iran that there are many targets left. Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor at The Hindu, answers your questions.

The Hindu

2 hours ago

• The Hindu

Watch: FDI & Politics: A ten year analysis

Over the last ten years, foreign investors have shifted their preference from Delhi to Maharashtra and Gujarat. While these three States have remained among the top foreign investment destinations in India, their shares have changed significantly since 2015-16. In this episode of Talking Politics, Nistula Hebbar, Political Editor at The Hindu, takes a look at the recent shift in foreign direct investment away from Delhi. For more, click: Foreign investors shift money out of Delhi to 'promising' Maharashtra Credits Presentation: Nistula Hebbar Edit: V. Nivedita