Census 2027: Home Minister Amit Shah Reviews Preparation, Official Notification Expected Tomorrow

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the official gazette notification for the upcoming Census will be released on June 16. This Census is significant as it marks the 16th national Census since its inception and the eighth since India gained independence.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently conducted a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review preparations for the Census. The meeting was attended by key officials, including the Union Home Secretary and the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI).

Census Phases and Digital Approach

The Census will be conducted in two distinct phases. The first phase, known as the Houselisting Operation (HLO), will focus on collecting data about housing conditions, household assets, and amenities. The second phase, Population Enumeration (PE), will gather demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and personal information about each individual residing in households.

For the first time, caste enumeration will be included in this Census exercise. Amit Shah stated, "Reviewed the preparations for the 16th Census with senior officials. Tomorrow, the gazette notification of the census will be issued. The census will include caste enumeration for the first time."

Digital Tools and Data Protection

The entire operation will be conducted digitally using mobile applications. Citizens can also opt for self-enumeration through digital platforms. Amit Shah emphasised that strict data protection protocols will be enforced at every stage of the process, including during data collection, transmission, and storage.

A massive workforce will be deployed for this operation. Nearly 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors, along with around 1.3 lakh Census functionaries, will be involved across India to ensure smooth execution.

This initiative aims to modernise data collection methods while ensuring comprehensive coverage across diverse regions of India. The use of cutting-edge mobile digital gadgets is expected to enhance efficiency and accuracy in data gathering.