The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially notified the timeline for the Census of India 2027, a historic exercise that marks the country’s first-ever fully digital census. Originally scheduled for 2021, the decennial count was delayed by six years due to the pandemic.

The census will be conducted in two distinct phases, with a significant new focus on electronic caste enumeration.

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1. The Two-Phase Timeline

• Window: Each State and Union Territory (UT) will specify a 30-day window within the six-month Phase I period to conduct house-to-house listing.

• Reference Date: For most of India, the population reference date is March 1, 2027. For snow-bound areas (Ladakh, parts of J&K, HP, and Uttarakhand), it is October 1, 2026.

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2. Digital Innovation: Self-Enumeration

For the first time, citizens can participate directly without waiting for an official visit.

• Self-Enumeration Window: Available for 15 days immediately before the 30-day houselisting phase begins in a specific state/UT.

• Process: Citizens can log into a dedicated web portal or mobile app to submit their household details.

• Validation: Upon completion, you will receive a unique ID to show the enumerator for quick verification, reducing the need for long interviews.

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3. Historic Caste Enumeration

In a major policy shift, the 2027 Census will include caste data collection electronically during the second phase (Population Enumeration). This will be the first comprehensive caste-based count in independent India; the last such exercise was conducted by the British in 1931…

4. Tech Stack & Manpower

• Apps: Enumerators (primarily government teachers) will use Android and iOS mobile apps for real-time data entry.

• Staffing: Approximately 30 lakh (3 million) field functionaries will be deployed nationwide.

• Monitoring: The Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal will track progress in real-time to ensure no household is left out.

• Cost: The Union Cabinet has approved a budget of ₹11,718.24 crore for the exercise.

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