India's 2027 census to go digital, says Union Minister Nityanand Rai | What we know
In a historic move, India's 2027 Census will utilize digital tools for the first time, shifting from paper forms to mobile apps and online self-enumeration.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday told the Lok Sabha that India’s next Census, scheduled for 2027, will be carried out entirely through digital tools, a first for the country’s population-counting exercise.
ALSO READ | Census 2027: RGI seeks appointments for decadal enumeration by Jan 15
Responding to a question from SP MP Sanatan Pandey, Rai said that the government plans to shift from traditional paper-based forms to mobile app-based data collection, while also giving citizens the option to fill in their details themselves through an online portal, said a report by news agency ANI.
"It has been decided to conduct Census 2027 through digital means. It is planned to collect data through Mobile Apps. Respondents may also self-enumerate through the web portal. The Census process is to be managed and monitored through a dedicated portal. In the Census, information of every individual is collected at the place where they are found during the entire period of enumeration," he said, as quoted by the agency.
ALSO READ | Process underway to finalise questionnaire for Census 2027: MHA in Parliament
Rai explained that the basic Census principles will remain unchanged: every person’s information will be recorded at the place where they are physically present during the enumeration window. Migration-related details, including place of birth, last residence, time spent at the current address, and reasons for moving, will continue to be captured as before.
He also noted that the Centre formally publishes the finalized Census questionnaire in the Official Gazette before field operations begin.
ALSO READ | Census to be done in two phases between April 2026 and Feb 2027: Govt
Sharing further information through an official statement, Rai said the entire 2027 exercise will be run and supervised via a dedicated digital platform, ensuring end-to-end monitoring. He reiterated that the shift to digital enumeration is aimed at streamlining data collection, improving accuracy and reducing logistical burdens associated with earlier methods.
(With inputs from ANI)
