Census 2027 to Include 40 Questions on Caste and Aadhaar

The Union Government of India notified 40 questions for the Population Enumeration phase of Census 2027 on 14 August 2026. The schedule includes demographic, educational, and socio-economic particulars under the Household Schedule, and it also asks for identification details such as Aadhaar number, voter ID, driving licence, and passport number where applicable.

Census 2027 Framework

The Census of India is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, which provides the legal basis for collection of population data. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India oversees census operations, including the preparation of schedules, training of enumerators, and tabulation of results.

The 2027 exercise is the first digital census in India, with data collection planned through electronic devices instead of paper schedules in many areas. The first phase, called House Listing and Housing Census, began on 1 April 2026.

Caste Enumeration and Question Design

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs cleared the inclusion of comprehensive caste enumeration on 30 April 2025. Question 10 in the notified schedule is an open-ended entry for “Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/Caste”, and it is the first comprehensive caste enumeration of all communities in independent India.

The census questionnaire also seeks information on digital literacy status, total number of bank accounts, and the place where Covid-19 vaccination was received. Such items are part of the socio-economic profile collected during enumeration.

Enumeration Schedule and Regional Coverage

The Population Enumeration phase will begin on 17 August 2026 in Ladakh and in the snowbound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. The rest of India will be enumerated in February 2027.

The census schedule is designed to cover households and individuals through a standardised questionnaire across all states and union territories.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Census of India is conducted under the Census Act, 1948.
• The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India is the statutory authority for census operations.
• The 2027 census is described as India’s first digital census.
• Question 10 includes “Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/Caste” as an open-ended field.

Static GK Points

The Census of India is one of the largest administrative exercises in the world and is used for population counts, household data, and socio-economic classification. Census data are used for delimitation, welfare planning, and official statistics in India.