Census: Door-To-Door Enumeration From Jan. 25 To Feb. 28, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Population Enumeration, the second phase of Census 2027, will commence nationwide on January 10, 2027, with the opening of the online self-enumeration window.
• Door-to-door enumeration for Census 2027 is scheduled to take place from January 25 to February 28, 2027.
• The census questionnaire will comprise 40 questions, including 13 new ones.
• New questions cover details such as caste (other than Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe), religion, place and date of birth of both parents, number of bank accounts, digital literacy, and identification numbers like Aadhaar and Voter ID.
• In poll-bound states, including Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Punjab, the door-to-door enumeration will be conducted earlier, from December 1, 2026, to January 5, 2027.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Census of India is a decennial exercise, with Census 2021 having been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making Census 2027 the next iteration.
• The census operations are governed by the Census Act, 1948, and are conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Census 2027 marks a significant shift as it will be India's first digital census, offering citizens the option of online self-enumeration.
• The inclusion of comprehensive caste enumeration for all communities, beyond Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, is a notable feature, as this has not been undertaken since the 1931 census.
• The decision to include caste enumeration was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs in April 2025.
• The new questions aim to collect detailed socio-economic data, information on digital inclusion, and penetration of identity documents, which are crucial for evidence-based policy-making and resource allocation.
• The Indian census typically involves two phases: the House-listing and Housing Census (first phase) and the Population Enumeration (second phase).

Key Concepts Involved:

• Population Enumeration: The second and main phase of the census, involving the collection of individual demographic and socio-economic data through door-to-door visits.
• Census Act, 1948: The parliamentary act that provides the legal framework for conducting the decennial census in India, outlining powers, duties, and confidentiality provisions.
• Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India: The apex authority, functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, responsible for the planning, execution, and analysis of census operations across India.