Census 2027 First Phase: Houselisting Begins April 2026, Govt Confirms

• The first phase of Census 2027, houselisting operations, will run from April 1 to September 30, 2026, across all states and UTs.
• Each region must complete the houselisting process within a 30-day timeframe, with a 15-day self-enumeration window preceding it.
• The nationwide census, deferred from 2021 due to Covid-19, will be digital, utilizing mobile applications for data collection.
• Census 2027 will include electronic collection of caste data, a significant decision since 1931, approved by PM Modi's Cabinet.
• The houselisting and housing census systematically lists structures and households to prepare for population enumeration in February 2027.

Why It Matters: India's digital Census 2027 begins houselisting in April 2026, including caste data collection.