New Delhi | Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday officially released the schedule for Census 2027, covering both the house-listing and housing phase. The announcement also includes the 33 key questions that will be asked during the exercise, replicating the ones originally planned for Census 2021 before the pandemic forced its postponement.


According to official sources, the house-listing and housing census will be conducted from April 1 to September 30, 2026, followed by population enumeration from February 9 to February 28, 2027. The exercise will collect detailed information about households, including building materials, number of rooms, number of married couples, and total household members.


The MHA has directed that respondents must provide accurate information either digitally through the Census app or during enumerator visits. Key areas of focus include main source of drinking water, source of electricity, type of latrine, bathing facility, and availability of LPG or CNG connections.


Officials emphasized that Census 2027 will not only provide updated demographic data but also critical insights into housing and basic amenities, which will play a vital role in planning and policy formulation across the country.


Experts note that this two-phase census exercise requires full participation from households nationwide and marks the first full-scale implementation of the postponed 2021 census, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate national data set for the coming decade.