Questionnaire for first phase of Census notified, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) has notified 33 questions for the first phase of Census 2027.
• The first phase of Census 2027 will be conducted between April 1 and September 30.
• The Census 2027 will be the first digital Census, the first to count caste, and the first with self-enumeration.
• Population Enumeration (PE), the second phase of Census 2027 where caste will be enumerated, will be done in February 2027.

Detailed Insights:

• The current notification for Census 2027 includes 33 questions, an increase from the 31 questions in the delayed Census 2021 notification.
• The new questions in Census 2027 separately address the "predominant material used in the floor, wall, and roof" of the house.
• Respondents will be able to self-enumerate through a portal that is yet to be announced by the government.
• The Census 2027 will collect data on various aspects including housing conditions, household amenities, and access to communication and transportation.
• A pre-test for the first phase of Census 2027 was conducted from November 10-30, 2025, in select areas nationwide.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Census: A complete enumeration of a population, usually recording details of individuals, families, and housing.
• Self-Enumeration: A method where individuals fill out census questionnaires themselves, typically online.
• Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes: Officially designated groups of historically disadvantaged communities in India.