What is Census 2027?
The Census of India is the largest administrative exercise conducted by the Government of India every ten years. Census 2027 is the 16th decennial census and the first digital census in India's history. It is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India (ORGI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
For the first time, households will have the option to self-enumerate through an official digital portal and mobile app, in addition to in-person enumerator visits. The census will also include caste enumeration as announced by the Government of India in 2025.
Key Dates
- Reference date (most states):
- Reference date (snow-bound areas — Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand):
- Phase 1, House-listing and Housing Census: to
- Phase 2, Population Enumeration:
- Gazette notification:
Always verify the current schedule on censusindia.gov.in, since the Government may update timelines through notifications.
State & UT-wise Schedule
Census 2027 runs in two phases. Exact dates within each phase window are decided by each State Directorate of Census Operations and announced closer to the time — typically 4 to 6 weeks before enumeration begins in that state. The table below lists the official phase window for every state and Union Territory as notified by the Gazette of India (16 June 2025).
How to find your exact local date: Visit censusindia.gov.in and select your State Directorate of Census Operations, or watch for a notice from your District Census Officer. Dates within the windows below are not yet final.
28 States & 4 UTs — Reference date 1 March 2027
Table of 32 states and union territories with standard Census 2027 phase windows.
| State / UT | Phase 1 window House-listing | Phase 2 window Population Enumeration |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Assam | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Bihar | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Chhattisgarh | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Goa | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Gujarat | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Haryana | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Jharkhand | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Karnataka | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Kerala | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Maharashtra | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Manipur | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Meghalaya | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Mizoram | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Nagaland | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Odisha | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Punjab | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Rajasthan | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Sikkim | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Tamil Nadu | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Telangana | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Tripura | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| West Bengal | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands (UT) | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Chandigarh (UT) | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (UT) | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Delhi (NCT) | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Lakshadweep (UT) | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Puducherry (UT) | Apr – Sep 2026 | 9 – 28 Feb 2027 |
Snow-bound states & UTs — Reference date 1 October 2026
These regions complete enumeration earlier because high-altitude areas become inaccessible in winter. Phase 2 is brought forward to September 2026.
| State / UT | Phase 1 window House-listing | Phase 2 window Population Enumeration |
|---|---|---|
| Himachal Pradesh (high-altitude areas) | Apr – Jul 2026 | 11 – 30 Sep 2026 |
| Uttarakhand (high-altitude areas) | Apr – Jul 2026 | 11 – 30 Sep 2026 |
| Jammu & Kashmir (UT) (high-altitude areas) | Apr – Jul 2026 | 11 – 30 Sep 2026 |
| Ladakh (UT) | Apr – Jul 2026 | 11 – 30 Sep 2026 |
Source: Gazette of India notification dated 16 June 2025 (Census 2027). Non-snow-bound Phase 2 window of 9–28 February 2027 reflects the typical window around the 1 March 2027 reference date, following the Census 2011 precedent. State-specific start and end dates within these windows are finalised by each State Directorate of Census Operations and will be published on censusindia.gov.in and through state government channels.
What You Should Do, the Do's
The following is a list of recommended actions, styled as a green informational box.
- Cooperate with the enumerator when they visit your home.
- Verify the enumerator's official photo ID card before sharing any information (see checklist below).
- Keep basic documents ready for reference: address proof, names and ages of household members, primary occupations, and education details. These are for your reference — the enumerator does not usually need to copy them.
- Answer truthfully and completely. Incomplete or false answers are a punishable offence under Section 11 of the Census Act, 1948.
- Count every person staying in your household on the reference night — including infants, domestic workers who live with you, and overnight guests.
- Use only the official self-enumeration portal linked from censusindia.gov.in if you choose to self-enumerate.
- Note down the enumerator's name, unique code, and the date and time of their visit.
- Report suspicious activity to your local police (Dial 100), the Cyber Crime helpline (1930), or your District Census Officer.
What You Should NOT Do, the Don'ts
The following is a list of actions to avoid, styled as a red warning box.
- Do NOT share OTPs, PINs, passwords, bank account numbers, or Aadhaar OTPs. The Census does not ask for any of these. Anyone asking is a fraudster.
- Do NOT pay any money to the enumerator or to anyone claiming to process your Census entry. The Census is completely free.
- Do NOT give false, incomplete, or misleading information — this is punishable with a fine and/or imprisonment under the Census Act, 1948.
- Do NOT refuse to participate — participation is a legal obligation, not optional.
- Do NOT allow anyone into your home without verifying their official photo ID.
- Do NOT click links in unsolicited SMS, WhatsApp, email, or social-media messages claiming to be from the Census.
- Do NOT download "Census" apps from unofficial sources. Use only apps linked from censusindia.gov.in.
- Do NOT hand over documents such as your Aadhaar card, PAN card, bank passbook, or ration card to an enumerator. The enumerator records information by asking questions, not by taking your documents.
Scams and Fraud: What Could Go Wrong
Any large-scale public exercise attracts fraudsters. The digital nature of Census 2027 creates new opportunities for impersonation, phishing, and data theft. Below are the most common scams reported and warned about by state police, cyber-crime cells, and the Press Information Bureau.
The following is a list of 10 common scams, each in its own card with a red left border.
1. Fake enumerators at your door
Imposters in plain clothes or generic uniforms claim to be enumerators, ask for Aadhaar, bank details, or demand a "processing fee". Always demand the government-issued photo ID with ORGI logo before answering anything.
2. Phishing SMS, WhatsApp, and email
Messages like "Click here to complete your Census 2027 entry" or "Your census entry is incomplete — verify now" carry malicious links that install spyware or steal credentials. The Government of India does not collect census information through SMS or WhatsApp links.
3. Fake "Census" apps
Apps published outside the official Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or apps shared through side-loaded APKs, often contain malware. Only use apps linked from censusindia.gov.in.
4. OTP-verification fraud
A caller claims your census submission is "under verification" and asks for the OTP you just received. The Census does not use OTPs for household enumeration. Never share an OTP with anyone.
5. "Name removal" threats
Callers threaten that your name will be removed from voter rolls, ration cards, or utility lists if you don't "update" your details immediately and pay a fee. The Census has no power to remove anyone from other databases — this is pure coercion.
6. Biometric harvesting
Fraudsters demand a fingerprint or iris scan claiming it is required for the Census. Census 2027 does not collect biometric data. Refuse any such request.
7. Aadhaar-linkage scam
"You must link Aadhaar for Census compliance" — a false claim designed to extract Aadhaar numbers and OTPs. The Census does not mandate Aadhaar submission.
8. Paid "assistance" frauds
Cyber-cafés or agents offer to "fill your census form for a small fee". The Census is free. No one is authorised to charge you anything in its name.
9. Fake QR codes and notice boards
Stickers placed on building walls or door-frames with QR codes claiming to be for "quick census submission". Scanning these leads to phishing sites. Ignore unofficial QR codes.
10. Data resale
Unauthorised individuals collect information "for the Census" and resell it to marketers, lenders, or criminal networks. A real enumerator works under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948, which makes such disclosure a criminal offence.
Red Flags: If Any of These Happen, It Is a Scam
The following is a list of warning signs, styled as an amber warning box.
- They ask for an OTP, password, or PIN.
- They demand money, a "processing fee", or service charges.
- They refuse to show a government-issued photo ID or their ID looks printed on plain paper.
- They pressure you with urgency: "Do it today or you'll be removed from the voter list."
- The app or website they point to is not linked from censusindia.gov.in.
- They request your fingerprint, iris, or selfie-with-Aadhaar.
- They take away original documents "for verification".
- They contact you through unsolicited SMS, WhatsApp, email, or social media with a link.
How to Identify a Genuine Census Enumerator
The following is a 10-item checklist for verifying an enumerator's ID card, shown with a dashed orange border.
A real enumerator's government-issued photo ID card should include:
- ORGI emblem / Government of India emblem on the card
- The enumerator's clear photograph
- Full name of the enumerator
- Unique enumerator code (alphanumeric)
- Designation ("Enumerator" / "Supervisor")
- Jurisdiction — Enumeration Block / ward / village
- Issuing authority — Directorate of Census Operations, [State]
- Signature of the District Census Officer (or equivalent authority)
- Issue date and validity period
- A government-issued tablet or mobile device for digital data entry (not a personal phone)
Note: The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India is the sole authoritative source for enumerator identity formats. Specimens and sample ID card images (if published) will be available on censusindia.gov.in and in notifications from the Press Information Bureau closer to enumeration dates. Always cross-check an enumerator's code by calling your State Directorate of Census Operations or District Census Officer.
What To Do If You Suspect a Scam
The following is a numbered list of steps, styled as a blue informational box.
- Do not engage further. Stop sharing information immediately.
- Do not click any links or download any app they sent.
- Note down their name (as stated), any phone number, the time, and a description of the person or message.
- Call the Cyber Crime helpline: 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
- Inform your local police (Dial 100 / 112).
- Alert your neighbours and RWA / building management so others are not targeted.
- Report to the District Census Officer of your district (contacts listed on censusindia.gov.in).
- If you already shared OTPs or bank details, immediately call your bank and freeze the account or card.
Your Rights and Protections
- Confidentiality (Section 15, Census Act 1948): Your individual responses are confidential. They cannot be used against you in court, tax proceedings, or any administrative action.
- Aggregate publication only: Census data is released only in aggregate, statistical form — never with personal identifiers.
- Separation from other databases: Census data is collected separately from Aadhaar, voter ID, ration card, and the National Population Register (NPR). Information provided for Census is not automatically shared with enforcement departments.
- Language rights: You have the right to answer the Census in any of the 22 scheduled languages of the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
- Free of cost: No citizen is required to pay any fee to participate.
- Right to verify: You may ask any visiting enumerator for their ID and cross-check with the Directorate of Census Operations before answering.
Sources
- Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India — https://censusindia.gov.in
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India — https://www.mha.gov.in
- The Census of India Act, 1948 (Act No. 37 of 1948) — full text at indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1519
- The Census Rules, 1990
- Gazette of India notification dated 16 June 2025 (Census 2027)
- Press Information Bureau (PIB) — https://pib.gov.in
- Cyber Crime Reporting Portal — https://cybercrime.gov.in · Helpline: 1930
- National Emergency number: 112 · Police: 100
Legal Disclaimer
This article is published for public awareness and social-work purposes only. It is not an official publication of the Government of India, the Ministry of Home Affairs, or the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. The author is not affiliated with any government body.
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the Census is governed by rules and notifications that may be updated. Readers must refer to the most current official sources — primarily censusindia.gov.in and the Gazette of India — before acting on any information here. Dates, procedures, and processes mentioned in this article reflect public notifications available up to the date of publication and may be revised by the Government of India.
Translations provided in Indian languages are offered on a best-effort basis for accessibility. In case of any conflict or ambiguity, the English version of this page is authoritative. Official notifications published in Hindi and English in the Gazette of India supersede anything on this page. This page currently supports 16 scheduled languages; the Constitution of India recognises 22 scheduled languages, and all of them are valid for answering the Census.
This article does not constitute legal advice. For legal questions regarding census obligations, penalties, or rights, please consult a qualified lawyer, the District Census Officer, or the Directorate of Census Operations in your State.
All third-party names, trademarks, and helpline numbers referenced here belong to their respective owners and the Government of India. They are used purely for informational, educational, and public-awareness purposes.