MHA seeks Rs 14,618.95 crore budget to conduct Census 2027: Report

More than 35 lakh field functionaries will be trained to conduct the digital census

Amid preparations for holding Census 2027, the Registrar General of India (RGI)has reportedly sought a budget of Rs 14,618.95 crore to conduct the demographic exercise.

According to Indian Express, the amount sought is for both phases of the Census. The amount sought is for both phases of the Census. In the first phase, the housel listing operation will be conducted from April to September 2026. In the second phase, population enumeration is scheduled to begin in February 2027 in the entire country, except for Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, where it will be conducted in September 2026.

The Ministry of Home Affairs officially notified the upcoming Census on June 16. According to reports, Census 2027 is set to be the most technologically advanced so far. For the first time, enumerators will use mobile applications for data collection, supported by a dedicated multilingual Census Monitoring and Management Portal. Citizens will also have the option for online self-enumeration, offering convenience and broader participation.

More than 35 lakh field functionaries will be trained to conduct the digital census, which will include in-built data validation systems to ensure accuracy.

In December 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to conduct the Census in 2021 for Rs 8,754.23 crore and update the National Population Register (NPR) for Rs 3,941.35 crore. The Census 2021 was also planned in two phases — houselisting operations from April to September 2020 and population enumeration from February 9 to 28, 2021. However, it could not be conducted following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With nearly 65% of Indians under the age of 35, the data gathered is expected to be crucial to design policies for education, employment, and family planning. The new digital and caste-inclusive approach aims to make governance more responsive and equitable. The Census 2027 will be the 16th decadal Census overall and the eighth since Independence.