Amit Shah unveils Census-2027 mascots Pragati and Vikas and soft-launches four digital tools
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the Census-2027 mascots 'Pragati' and 'Vikas' and soft-launched four C-DAC-built digital tools in New Delhi on 5 March 2026, for India's first digital census.
Summary
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the Census-2027 mascots 'Pragati' (female enumerator) and 'Vikas' (male enumerator) and soft-launched four digital tools in New Delhi on 5 March 2026. The tools, built by C-DAC, are the Houselisting Block Creator web app, the HLO mobile app, the Self-Enumeration Portal and the Census Management and Monitoring System portal. Census-2027 will be India's first digital census and, for the first time, people can self-enumerate online in 16 languages before the door-to-door survey. Phase 1, Houselisting and Housing Census, will run in a 30-day window chosen by each State/UT between 1 April and 30 September 2026. Phase 2, Population Enumeration, will be held in February 2027 and will include a caste question. The reference date is 00:00 hours of 1 March 2027, or 1 October 2026 for Ladakh and snow-bound areas of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. More than 30 lakh enumerators and officials will take part.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 5 March 2026, New Delhi
- Mascots
- Pragati (female), Vikas (male)
- Digital tools (C-DAC)
- HLBC web app; HLO mobile app; Self-Enumeration Portal; CMMS Portal
- Firsts
- First digital census; first self-enumeration option (16 languages)
- Phase 1
- Houselisting: 30 days between 1 Apr and 30 Sep 2026
- Phase 2
- Population Enumeration: Feb 2027, with caste question
- Reference date
- 1 March 2027 (1 Oct 2026 for Ladakh and snow-bound areas)
- Staff
- 30 lakh+
Practice MCQs 4 questions
What are the names of the Census-2027 mascots unveiled on 5 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B â Pragati and Vikas
The mascots are 'Pragati' (female enumerator) and 'Vikas' (male enumerator).
What is the reference date for Census-2027 for most States and Union Territories?
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Correct answer: C â 1 March 2027
The reference date is 00:00 hours of 1 March 2027, except Ladakh and snow-bound areas of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (1 October 2026).
Which organisation developed the digital platforms soft-launched for Census-2027?
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Correct answer: D â C-DAC
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) developed the four digital platforms.
Consider the following statements about Census-2027: 1. Respondents can self-enumerate online in 16 languages before the door-to-door survey. 2. The caste-related question will be asked in Phase 1 (Houselisting and Housing Census). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The caste-related question will be included in Phase 2 (Population Enumeration, February 2027), not in the houselisting phase.