Census 2027: ₹4,102 crore released; Ladakh, snow-bound areas to lead caste enumeration — Govt reveals cost, timeline
Census 2027: ₹4,102 Crore Released, Ladakh Leads Caste Count
Theindiapostdaily.com – The Union government has confirmed that ₹4,102 crore has been disbursed to States and Union Territories for the upcoming Census 2027. According to Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, this allocation covers training of officials, technical infrastructure, manpower support, and honorarium payments to Census functionaries.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on August 12, Rai provided an update on the initial stage of the census exercise. He noted that the Houselisting and Housing Census component has been finalized across 31 States and UTs. For the remaining regions, the completion target is set for September 2026.
First phase of the Census 2027 i.e., Houselisting and Housing Census has already been completed in 31 States/UTs. In the remaining states, the first phase of the census is scheduled to be completed by September, 2026.
Ladakh Takes the Lead in Caste Enumeration
Ladakh, one of India's two newest Union Territories, will pioneer the comprehensive caste enumeration process for Independent India. The government has announced that the second phase of Census 2027 will feature detailed caste data collection during the Population Enumeration stage.
According to reports, the Population Enumeration questionnaire will include approximately 40 parameters alongside an open-ended field specifically designed for caste responses. This marks a significant departure from previous census methodologies.
A notification published in the Gazette of India on August 3, 2026, outlined the schedule for the second phase. Ladakh, along with snow-bound non-synchronous areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, will conduct the Population Enumeration from September 1 to September 30, 2026. A revisional round will follow from October 1 to October 5, 2026.
The second phase of the Census i.e. Population Enumeration in the UT of Ladakh and the snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and the snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand shall be undertaken from 1st September, 2026 to 30th September, 2026 with a revisional round from 1st October, 2026 to 5th October, 2026.
Self-Enumeration and Digital Innovation
Rai highlighted that citizens will have the opportunity for self-enumeration between August 17 and August 31, 2026. Digital tools have been developed to support this second phase of the census operation.
Amit Sharma, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director of Census Operations for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, explained the sequence of events to the Hindustan Times. He noted that self-enumeration for Ladakh and 16 snow-bound districts of J&K will commence on August 17, mirroring the approach used for the Houselisting and Housing Census Operation earlier in the year.
After that, we will have population enumeration (PE) from September 1 to 30 for Ladakh as well as J&K. It will happen along with few snow-bound areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. They will proceed simultaneously and partially but technically, Ladakh will be the first state or UT in the country where this exercise will be 100% complete because Ladakh is all snow-bound.
Financial Outlay and Complete Timeline
The Union Cabinet approved the Census 2027 proposal in December last year with a total budget of ₹11,718.24 crore. The exercise will unfold in two distinct phases.
The first phase, encompassing Houselisting and Housing Census, will run from April to September 2026. Each State or UT will conduct the 30-day operation according to its convenience. A 15-day self-enumeration window will precede the house-to-house work. This stage will collect comprehensive data on housing conditions, amenities availability, and household assets, establishing the foundation for the subsequent phase.
The second phase, Population Enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027. This segment will capture detailed demographic, socio-economic, cultural, migration, and fertility information across the nation.
Till now, a total amount of ₹4102 crore have already been released to States/UTs for training of Census functionaries, manpower assistance, technical infrastructure, payment of honorarium to Census functionaries etc.
Training for Master Trainers, Field Trainers, Enumerators, and Supervisors for the first phase has been completed or is underway, coordinated with State and UT governments according to the notified schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Census 2027 be conducted?
The Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases. The first phase (Houselisting and Housing Census) runs from April to September 2026, while the second phase (Population Enumeration) is scheduled for February 2027.
How much has been allocated for Census 2027?
The Union government has released ₹4,102 crore so far, with a total budget of ₹11,718.24 crore approved by the Union Cabinet for the entire exercise.
Why is Ladakh conducting Census 2027 first?
Ladakh is entirely snow-bound, allowing it to complete the entire Census 2027 exercise before other regions. The Population Enumeration will begin on September 1, 2026, followed by a revisional round from October 1-5, 2026.
What new features does Census 2027 include?
The Census 2027 introduces comprehensive caste enumeration with approximately 40 parameters and an open-ended caste response field. Citizens can also participate through self-enumeration using digital tools between August 17-31, 2026.