I am very pleased to see that the India Population Census is finally moving forward. As a researcher, I know what reliable, granular and timely data means for good policy. Without it, decisions rely on assumptions. With it, governments can plan better, allocate better, and respond better. After a 17-year delay, this Census is not just routine work. It is a much-needed course correction.
The mock survey in South Delhi began on November 10 and ends today, November 30. Enumerators used tablets and mobile apps, tested new formats, and identified the usual challenges—incorrect addresses, locked houses, and the need to explain digital forms to respondents. These pilots are part of the national pre-test before the full exercise begins. As per government announcements, the houselisting phase will start in April 2026, followed by population enumeration in February 2027.
This preparation is important. But it also reminds us of how much we lost because the Census was delayed for so long and why Census matters.
Why the Census 2027 Is Critical for India
Here’s exactly why Census 2027 matters and how Census 2027 improves governance.
Education
Many states still rely on 2011 child population data. This has created real gaps. Some rural districts built schools based on old estimates. In growing towns, classrooms planned for 1,000 students now hold 1,500. Teachers stretch their limits. Students share desks. Learning suffers. Updated numbers would have prevented these mismatches.
Health
During COVID-19, cities planned vaccination sites using 2011 figures. In several slums, the population had nearly doubled. This led to shortages in some places and excess stock in others. Primary health centres faced unpredictable demand. A simple updated headcount would have helped plan better.
Urban Growth
Cities like Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad expanded rapidly after 2011. But their plans still reflect older settlement patterns. As a result, roads, drainage, housing and water supply systems have been unable to keep pace. When cities grow faster than the data guiding them, everyday life becomes harder for residents.
Economy and Work
India’s labour market has changed. The rise of gig and platform work is one major shift. But official statistics still lean on old categories. Without updated census data, new forms of work remain partially invisible. This affects schemes meant for youth, skilling, and informal workers.
Gender and Social Indicators
Women’s work patterns changed after the pandemic due to remote work, hybrid models and childcare adjustments. But we do not have a clear picture of these shifts across states and districts. The absence of fresh census data keeps old assumptions in place.
Climate and Risk
Flood-prone districts in Assam, Bihar and Odisha still use 2011 village counts to plan shelters and relief stock. In several places, population has moved or grown, but the risk maps have not. This increases exposure to disasters.
These examples show a simple point. When the data becomes outdated, the gaps appear everywhere—in classrooms, clinics, streets and households.
The Opportunities Ahead
As a Social Researcher and founder of DevInsights, one of the leading social research companies in India, I strongly believe that the 2027 Census gives us a chance to fix this. It will come at a time when India has changed a great deal since 2011. Here are the opportunities in India’s upcoming Census.
How Digital Tools Will Shape the 2027 Census
Enumerators will use mobile devices. Data will move faster. Errors can be checked early. This should speed up publication, which has always been slow.
Better Social and Economic Planning
Updated child population counts can help states plan classrooms and teachers. Health departments can plan vaccines, maternal care and disease control more accurately. Urban planners can rework zoning, public transport and housing policies.
Understanding New Forms of Work
This Census can include better categories for gig and platform workers. It can help policymakers design support systems that match today’s workforce.
Improving Gender Insights
Collecting more detailed information on work, travel, childcare and home responsibilities can help understand the pressures women face today.
Climate-Related Information
If the Census captures simple indicators—like whether a home is prone to seasonal flooding—it will help states plan climate measures more effectively.
These improvements will make India’s data sharper and decision-making more grounded.
Key Recommendations for a Stronger Census Framework
These suggestions come from experience. They are practical and achievable.
1. Expand Indicators Carefully
Include categories for gig workers, single-parent households, and shared rental units. These are common today. Earlier census formats did not capture them well.
2. Clear Definitions
Terms like “migrant,” “disability,” or “household asset” should be clearly defined. This reduces confusion for enumerators and respondents.
3. Use Technology to Improve Quality
Use of Technology in Data Collection and Reporting can be extremely useful. Simple automatic checks in the app can reduce errors. Offline data collection can help remote areas. Quick uploads can shorten the release time.
4. Better Inclusion
Enumerators should be trained in local and tribal languages. Gender and disability categories should be explained without hesitation. This builds trust and improves responses.
5. Timely Release
Preliminary results should be published within months. Many countries do this. India can too.
6. Inter-Censal Surveys
A small national survey every 4–5 years can keep data current instead of waiting a full decade.
Looking Ahead
As the mock phase ends today, I feel hopeful. The 17-year Census gap taught us a hard lesson. But the upcoming Census gives us an opportunity to correct course.
Researchers, planners and governments are waiting for updated data. Not just for counting people, but for understanding how India has changed—how families live, how young people work, how cities grow, and what communities need.
A Census is not just a technical activity. It is the foundation of good governance.
This time, we must get it right.
FAQs
Why has India’s Census been delayed?
The census was originally slated for 2021 but faced indefinite postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the crisis has passed, administrative formalities and the freezing of administrative boundaries (a prerequisite for the count) were repeatedly extended. Reports now suggest the process may begin in 2025, with data release likely spilling into 2026-27. This gap, the longest since regular census operations began, underscores the urgent need for updated data.
What will the upcoming Census include?
The Census will encompass two main phases: Houselisting and Housing Census (covering amenities, assets, and housing conditions) followed by Population Enumeration (demographics like age, gender, literacy, religion, and migration). Regarding caste, the census will continue to count Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) as per constitutional mandates. While there is significant political demand for a full caste census (including OBCs), the government has not officially confirmed its inclusion for this cycle.
How does outdated Census data affect welfare programs?
Relying on 2011 figures creates blind spots in targeting beneficiaries for schemes like the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Economists estimate that over 100 million eligible people may be excluded from the Public Distribution System (PDS) due to population growth and urbanization that 2011 data cannot reflect. Fresh data is critical to bridge these gaps and ensure equitable resource allocation.
What new technology will be used?
Marking India’s first Digital Census, the process will allow data collection via mobile applications on enumerators’ smartphones. A Self-Enumeration portal will also be introduced, allowing citizens to fill in their own data. This tech-driven approach includes geospatial tools and geotagging of clusters to improve coverage and speed up the processing of results compared to traditional paper-based methods.
How often does India conduct a population Census?
India follows a decennial schedule—every 10 years—a practice consistent since 1881 (with the first non-synchronous count in 1872). Conducted under the Census Act of 1948, this rhythm ensures periodic updates to demographic baselines. The current delay is an anomaly in this 150-year history.
Clear Cut Research Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Nov 30, 2025 10:00 IST
Written By: Paresh Kumar
