In a major step toward modernizing India’s demographic data collection, the government has announced that the upcoming Census 2027 will be the first-ever digital census, offering citizens the option to self-enumerate through a dedicated web portal. This initiative, officials say, is designed to make the process more inclusive, efficient, and transparent. The new portal will be operational for both critical phases of the census — Houselisting & Housing Census (HLO), starting April 1, 2026, and Population Enumeration (PE), which begins on February 1, 2027. Citizens will also have the opportunity to use mobile applications on Android and iOS devices for providing data, while trained enumerators will assist in data collection where needed.
Described as a “transformational step” by government officials, the digital census will involve 34 lakh trained enumerators and supervisors, supported through a structured three-tier training system comprising national, master, and field trainers. For the first time, census data will be collected digitally and transmitted electronically to a central server, ensuring real-time aggregation and early availability of vital statistics. Officials have assured that stringent data security protocols will be enforced at all stages — from data collection to transmission and storage — to maintain confidentiality and integrity. The exercise will also include caste enumeration, and data will be frozen based on the administrative unit boundaries as of December 31, 2025, for accurate population mapping.
The reference date for Census 2027 will be March 1, 2027, except for Union Territories like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and snowbound areas of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where October 1, 2026 will serve as the reference point. The Registrar General of India (RGI) has instructed all states and UTs to finalize any changes in administrative boundaries — such as districts, tehsils, and police stations — before the cut-off date to avoid duplication or omissions. As India embarks on its 16th national census and 8th since independence, officials emphasize that integrating technology with grassroots-level enumeration will not only streamline operations but also significantly enhance accuracy and inclusivity in capturing India’s diverse population landscape.
