Census 2027 to be India's first digital census, with caste enumeration and ₹11,718.24 crore outlay
Census 2027 will be India's first digital enumeration using mobile-based data collection, the 16th census overall and 8th since Independence, with caste enumeration and an outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore, a PIB backgrounder said on 25 April 2026.
Summary
Census 2027 will be India's first digital enumeration exercise, using mobile-based data collection, according to a PIB backgrounder published on 25 April 2026. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs decided on 30 April 2025 to include caste enumeration in Census 2027, and the exercise has an outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore. Census 2027 will be the 16th census in the series and the 8th since Independence, and the backgrounder calls it the largest census exercise in the world, with data held in data centres designated as Critical Information Infrastructure. The backgrounder notes that early references to census-taking appear in Kautilya's Arthashastra and Abul Fazl's Ain-e-Akbari, that the first modern census was conducted between 1865 and 1872, and that the first synchronous census was held in 1881.
Key facts
- Census 2027
- First digital enumeration (mobile-based data collection)
- Caste enumeration
- Decided by CCPA on 30 April 2025
- Outlay
- ₹11,718.24 crore
- Order
- 16th census; 8th since Independence
- Data security
- CII-designated data centres
- History
- First modern census 1865–1872; first synchronous census 1881
- Early references
- Kautilya's Arthashastra; Abul Fazl's Ain-e-Akbari
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Census 2027 will be which census in the series since Independence?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 8th
The PIB backgrounder says Census 2027 will be the 16th census in the series and the 8th since Independence.
India's first synchronous census was conducted in:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1881
The backgrounder says the first modern census was conducted between 1865 and 1872, not simultaneously, and the first synchronous census was held in 1881.
Consider the following statements about Census 2027: 1. The decision to include caste enumeration was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on 30 April 2025. 2. Its outlay is ₹11,718.24 crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are stated in the PIB backgrounder of 25 April 2026.