Page 13 - NIS English 16-31 May, 2026

Objectives, Significance & Utility of Census Census to be conducted in two phases

Phase 1
Objective The census serves as the largest source Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO): This will be
of primary data at the village, town, and
ward levels. It is a vital instrument for
conducted over a period of 30 days, scheduled between
governance, providing the foundation
for India’s development planning for April and September 2026, at a time convenient for the
respective States and Union Territories. Prior to the house-
the upcoming decade. listing exercise, a 15-day window for ‘self-enumeration’ will
also be made available.
The census has long been an
n During this phase, information regarding the status of
Significance indispensable source of data for houses, the amenities available to households, and the assets
scholars and researchers across various
possessed by them will be collected. Phase I comprises 33
disciplines, including demography,
questions, which have already been officially notified.
economics, anthropology, sociology,
Phase II
statistics, and many others. It serves
as a crucial tool for understanding and Population Enumeration: This will take place in February
studying India, as the rich diversity of 2027. However, in the snow-bound, inaccessible areas of the
its people is revealed precisely through Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, as well
the decennial census.
as the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, this
exercise will be conducted in September 2026.
It provides detailed statistics across
various parameters, including housing n The enumeration of castes will also be carried out.
n Information related to demographics, socio-economics,
Utility conditions, amenities and assets, education, migration, fertility, etc., will also be collected
demographics, religion, Scheduled
from every individual.
Castes and Scheduled Tribes, language,
literacy and education, economic activity,
migration, and fertility. These statistics
are utilised for a wide range of purposes,
including development planning.

The current census marks the 16th
census of the country and the 8th
census since independence.

that data holds in our daily lives. Yet, from government 2027 is nothing short of a grand Yajna. To be conducted
policymaking to national development initiatives and in two phases, the 2027 Census constitutes the largest
public welfare schemes, it is this very data that serves census exercise in the world, the commencement of
as the foundational basis—data that is also utilized to which dates back to April 2026. Although this census
facilitate research and to construct a comprehensive was originally scheduled for 2021, it had to be post-
picture of the economy. The profound importance and poned due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This
utility of data can be best understood through the words marks the first census that will be entirely digital; for
of the renowned American statistician, William Edwards the first time, provisions have been made for the use
Deming: “Without data, you are just another person with of mobile apps and online self-enumeration. A caste
an opinion.” In other words, data serves as the founda- enumeration covering all communities will also be con-
tion for strengthening any idea, policy, or plan. ducted alongside this census. To facilitate this, more
than 3.1 million field workers across India have been
THE GRAND YAJNA OF COUNTING trained. On June 16, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs
According to religious scriptures, a Yajna is organized officially issued the notification for the 2027 Census.
with the objective of attaining desired outcomes. It is The Indian Census stands as the single largest source
also regarded as a means to foster progress and to of diverse statistical information regarding the various
fulfill specific wishes and necessities. The Census of characteristics of the people of India. With a history

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