India Population Census Scheduled for Early 2027 with Self-Enumeration Option

India will conduct its next population census from January 25 to February 28, followed by a revisional round from March 1 to 5, according to a gazette notification issued Friday by RGI and Census Commissioner of India, Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan. The official reference date for the census is set for midnight on March 1, 2027.

Areas Covered And Exceptions

The census will take place across all states and union territories, with specific exceptions. Manipur is excluded until further declaration. Other excluded regions include Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, and snow-bound non-synchronous areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Elections are scheduled to take place in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa, and Manipur early next year.

Self-Enumeration And Background

Citizens will have the option to use self-enumeration from January 10 to January 24, 2027, right before the start of the house-to-house population count. Last year in June, the government previously announced the March 1, 2027 reference date for the country, excluding Ladakh and specific snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Context

A national census is a massive administrative exercise undertaken to count every citizen and gather demographic data on housing, education, and employment. The collected figures help governments plan public policies, distribute resources, and manage constituencies effectively.