Governance / Census 2027: First Caste-Based Census Since Independence, Citizens to Answer 40 Questions

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18: India’s upcoming 2027 Census will be unlike any before, with citizens required to answer 40 detailed questions ranging from caste and religion to employment, migration, digital literacy, and family status. For the first time since Independence, caste data will be collected across all communities.

First-Ever Caste Enumeration

The Ministry of Home Affairs has released the questionnaire, which includes queries on caste, religion, nationality, marital status, and women’s socio-economic conditions. This marks the first caste-based enumeration in a national census since 1947.

Employment and Identity Focus

Employment-related queries dominate the list, with eight questions on jobs, wages, and livelihoods. Citizens will also be asked about Aadhaar, voter ID, mobile numbers, and bank accounts. Identity-related details such as name, age, gender, relationship to the head of household, and date of birth will also be recorded.

Education, Language, and Digital Literacy

The census will seek information on literacy, mother tongue, other languages spoken, and digital literacy. Questions on migration, previous residence, reasons for relocation, and duration of stay will also be included. Married, widowed, divorced, or separated women will be asked about children born, living, and those born in the past year.

Digital Process and Self-Enumeration

For the first time, the census will be conducted digitally via a mobile app, with provisions for self-enumeration through the official portal between August 17 and 31, 2026. House-listing and population enumeration in snow-bound areas of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will begin on September 1, 2026, while the rest of the country will be covered in February–March 2027.
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Expanded Questionnaire

Compared to the 2011 Census, the 2027 exercise includes 11 additional questions, making it India’s 16th Census overall and the 8th since Independence. Authorities say the expanded scope will provide a comprehensive picture of India’s socio-economic and demographic realities.