Digital Census 2027 Approved: Rs 11,718 Cr, Two Phases, Caste Data via Apps

• Census 2027 approved with a budget of Rs 11,718 crore, scheduled for March 1, 2027.
• It will be India's first fully digital census, utilizing mobile applications for data collection and a real-time monitoring system.
• The census will be conducted in two phases: House Listing (April-September 2026) and Population Enumeration (February 2027).
• Caste enumeration will be included electronically for the first time in independent India's decennial census.
• The exercise will involve 30 lakh field functionaries and is expected to generate 1.02 crore man-days of employment.

Why It Matters: India's first digital census will provide vital data, including caste, shaping future policies.