The Centre has expanded the questionnaire for India’s 16th Census in 2027 from 33 to 40 questions, with the latest notification adding details related to religion, caste identity and Covid-19 vaccination.
According to the new notification issued by the Registrar General of India, the population enumeration phase will collect information on religious and social identity, including whether a person belongs to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe. Respondents will also be asked whether they have received Covid-19 vaccination.
The first phase of Census 2027 began on April 1 and primarily focuses on housing, household conditions and available assets and facilities. The second phase, involving population enumeration, will be conducted from August 16 to September 14 in most parts of the country this year, according to the notification. Self-enumeration will also be available before the door-to-door exercise.
For certain snow-bound areas of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the enumeration schedule will be different, with data collection planned from September 1 to 30.
The original 33-question housing schedule includes information about household facilities and assets such as mobile phones, laptops, internet connections, bicycles and two-wheelers. Questions also cover drinking water, cooking fuel, food grains, toilets, bathrooms, drainage, flooring, housing conditions and the number of residents.
The population enumeration phase will place greater emphasis on personal and demographic information, including religion, caste, culture and other social details. The decision to include caste enumeration was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs last year under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The expanded questionnaire marks a significant change in the scope of India’s upcoming Census.
