Government Prepares for Census 2027

The Union government has yet to determine whether it will update the National Population Register (NPR) during the upcoming Population Census scheduled for 2027, according to senior Home Ministry officials. This uncertainty was discussed at a two-day conference of Census Directors on July 3-4, where the attendees were informed that updates regarding the NPR would be communicated at a later date.

Key Details:

• Preparatory Meeting: The conference was led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and the Registrar General of India (RGI) and Census Commissioner Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, marking the first preparatory session for the Census, which will start in April 2026.

• NPR Historical Context: The NPR, created under the Citizenship Rules of 2003 and the Citizenship Act of 1955, serves as a foundational step towards establishing a National Register of Citizens (NRC). The NPR was first compiled in 2010 during the 2011 Census, and it was subsequently updated in 2015-2016.

• Data Characteristics: The NPR consists of household-specific details regarding approximately 1.19 billion usual residents, allowing for selective data sharing with Central and State governments, unlike Census data which is available only in aggregate form.

• Census Timeline: The 2027 Census represents the first such annual count since 2011, as the original 2021 Census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-trial exercises to gauge the operational readiness are expected to occur in August and September 2025, with enumerators receiving training at the end of July 2025.

• Methodology for Caste Enumeration: The second phase of the Census, set for February 2027, intends to ask questions regarding caste for the first time in independent India. However, the details concerning this caste enumeration process have yet to be finalized, as indicated by the absence of any trial assessments related to it during the pre-test.

• Legislative Requirements: The pre-test questionnaires will need formal notification in the Gazette of India under Section 17A of the Census Act, 1948, before execution.

• Public Sentiment and Opposition: Various opposition-run states, notably West Bengal and Kerala, have voiced their concerns regarding the expansion of NPR-related questions, which they believe pose risks to public order and could impact citizenship status for individuals. The government has faced protests since 2019-2020 regarding these proposed updates to the NPR, raising fears about the potential exclusion of many citizens during NRC preparations.

Summary Points:

• The decision to update the NPR in Census 2027 remains pending.
• The first preparatory meeting for the Census took place on July 3-4, 2025.
• The NPR is an essential precursor for implementing the NRC.
• The 2027 Census will be the first since 2011 and utilizes mobile apps for data collection.
• Caste enumeration is planned for the 2027 Census but not yet finalized in methodology.
• Pre-test procedures will adhere to the guidelines of the Census Act, 1948.
• Opposition states express reservations about the NPR's expansion and related privacy concerns.

This comprehensive overview indicates the complex interplay between data collection, governmental policies, and public sentiment as India approaches its next Census and deliberates over the NPR's role therein.