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India's 2027 Digital Census Notified

India's 2027 Digital Census Notified

17-06-2025

Why in the News ?

  1. The Union Home Ministry has officially notified that the next Census of India will be conducted in 2027, using digital tools for the first time.
  2. This notification marks the freezing of administrative boundaries until the exercise is complete.

Key Highlights:

  1. Census Year: Scheduled for 2027; reference date is 00:00 hours of March 1, 2027.
  2. Digital Mode: Census to be conducted through digital means using mobile applications.
  3. Enumerator Deployment: Around 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors to be deployed.
  4. Self-enumeration Provision: People may have the option for self-enumeration via digital tools.
  5. Boundary Freeze: No changes to administrative boundaries (states, districts, tehsils, police stations) will be allowed until the census concludes.
  6. Notification Issued: Under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 by the Registrar-General of India.

Census Act, 1948:

  1. The Census Act, 1948 is the legal framework under which the Census of India is conducted.
  2. It empowers the government to collect, manage, and protect population data in a systematic way.

Who Conducts the Census?

  1. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for conducting the census.
  2. Appointments of Directors of Census Operations are made for each state.

Key Provisions:

1. Section 3 – Power to Conduct Census

  1. The Central Government can declare a date and take necessary steps to conduct the Census of India.

2. Section 4 – Appointment of Census Officials

  1. The government can appoint:
    1. Census Commissioners
    2. Supervisors
    3. Enumerators
    4. Other required staff

3. Section 5 – Duties of Citizens

  1. Citizens are legally required to answer census questions truthfully and accurately.
  2. Giving false information is punishable by law.

4. Section 11 – Confidentiality of Data

  1. Individual data collected cannot be shared with anyone, including courts, and is kept strictly confidential.
  2. Only aggregated data (like population totals) is published.

5. Section 15 – Penalties

  1. There are penalties (fines or imprisonment) for:
      1. Refusing to answer
      2. Giving false information
      3. Obstructing the Census process
      4. Census officers misusing data

Importance of the Act

  1. Ensures the smooth and lawful conduct of the Census.
  2. Protects the privacy of individuals.
  3. Helps in planning, policy-making, and resource allocation based on reliable data.

 

  1. Non-synchronous Areas: Census in Union Territories of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will have a reference date of October 1, 2026.
  2. Census Phases: The Census will be held in two phases:
    1. House Listing Operations: This is the first phase of the census, where every building and household is listed and numbered.
    2. Population Enumeration: This is the main phase of the census where details of individuals living in each household are collected.
  3. NPR (National Population Register): No official update/announcement on NPR this time, though it was notified in 2019 for updating.

About NPR:

  1. The National Population Register (NPR) is a register of all the usual residents of India.
  2. It is prepared at the local, sub-district, district, state, and national level under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.
  3. National Population Register (NPR) is part of NRC creation.
  4. Last updated in 2015, first collected in 2010.

 
  1. Security & Data Management:
  1. The ministry emphasizes data security for collection, transmission, and storage.
  2. Trial runs and pre-test exercises to evaluate effectiveness of digital tools and ensure enumerator training.

Challenges and Way Forward:

 

Challenges

Way Forward

1.

Digital Divide – Lack of internet access and digital literacy in rural areas

Provide training to enumerators; use offline data collection modes in remote areas

2.

Data Privacy Concerns – Fear of data misuse or surveillance

Ensure strong data protection laws and public awareness campaigns on data confidentiality

3.

Logistical Complexity – Managing 34 lakh enumerators and reaching every household

Use GPS-based tracking and real-time monitoring systems to manage operations efficiently

4.

Quality of Data – Risk of inaccurate or false data

Ensure proper training, accountability, and supervision of enumerators

5.

Coordination Issues Between Centre and States

Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and collaborative planning with state governments

 

 

Conclusion:

The 2027 Census is an important step to collect updated data using digital methods. With proper planning, public trust, and strong coordination, the challenges can be managed, helping the government make better plans for the country’s future.

EnsureIAS Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the significance of conducting the Census in India. What are the major challenges in implementing the 2027 Digital Census, and suggest measures to overcome them. (250 words)

 

EnsureIAS Prelims Question:

Q. With reference to the Census in India, consider the following statements:

  1. The Census in India is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.
  2. The individual data collected during the Census is confidential and cannot be used as evidence in a court of law.
  3. The National Population Register (NPR) is legally linked to the Census of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948.

Statement 2 is correct: Individual data is confidential and not used in court.

Statement 3 is incorrect: NPR and Census are separate exercises under different legal frameworks.

 

 

 

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