Census of India 2027: Government Notifies Questionnaire for Phase I Houselisting
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs has officially set the ball rolling for the much-anticipated Census of India 2027. In a notification issued by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner on January 22, 2026, the government has detailed the specific questionnaire for Phase I, which focuses on Houselisting and Housing Census.
This primary phase is scheduled to be conducted across the country between April 1 and September 30. Individual states and Union Territories will have the flexibility to choose a specific 45-day window within this period to complete the exercise.
Comprehensive 33-Point Questionnaire
The Registrar General, Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, announced that census officers are now authorized to collect data on 33 specific parameters. This data aims to provide a granular look at the living standards and infrastructure available to Indian households. Key areas of inquiry include:
- Infrastructure: Material used for floors, walls, and roofs of houses.
- Amenities: Access to drinking water, electricity, and types of latrines or drainage systems.
- Energy: Availability of LPG/PNG connections and the primary fuel used for cooking.
- Digital Reach: Ownership of laptops, computers, and access to the internet.
- Assets: Ownership of bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, and four-wheelers.
- Nutrition: Main cereals consumed by the household.
Click here to read the Gazette notification by the Government of India and the detailed questionnaires in Hindi and English.
Significantly, the census will also record mobile numbers, though the notification clarifies these will be used strictly for census-related communications.
Self-Enumeration and Timeline
In a move to modernize the process, citizens will be offered a ‘Self-Enumeration’ option. This allows residents to fill out their details online approximately 15 days before the physical visit of the enumerators.
While Phase I maps out the housing landscape, the second phase, the Population Enumeration, is slated for February 2027. The specific questionnaire for this second phase will be notified by the government in due course.
Across the country, local municipal authorities are expected to begin the training of census officers shortly to ensure the April deadline is met.
Vineet Gupta is the Founder and Managing Editor of PuneNow, where he oversees local news delivery and explores mindful living, parenting, and personal growth. An alumnus of the University of Wales, Vineet has travelled extensively and worked across hospitality, finance, and academia. Now based in Pune, his diverse global background informs his hyper-local perspective, helping the community find meaning, balance, and connection in everyday life.
