Census 2027 Begins: First Population Count With Caste Data Since Independence; 40 Questions In New Survey

India’s Census 2027 begins with a historic change caste data will be collected for the first time after Independence. Here’s what the 40-question survey means for citizens and the country.

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht

Updated : 17 August 2026, 9:30 AM IST

Census 2027 Begins Today (Img: AI generated)

New Delgi: India’s much-awaited Census 2027 exercise has officially begun, with population enumeration starting in the snow-bound regions of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from Monday.

The latest census will be historic as it will include caste-related questions for the first time after Independence, along with several new details related to citizens’ identity and socio-economic background.

Self-Enumeration Begins in Remote Areas

Residents of difficult-to-reach regions can participate in self-enumeration from August 17 to August 31 through the official online portal. After this phase, census officials will conduct door-to-door verification from September 1.

The entire process will be largely digital, with enumerators using a mobile application for data collection. The app will also work in offline mode in areas with poor connectivity.

40 Questions Included in Census Form

The Census 2027 questionnaire contains 40 questions, 11 more than the previous census held in 2011.

For the first time, citizens will be asked to provide caste details. The caste question will record information as declared by individuals without matching it with any pre-decided list.

Other new questions include details related to parental information, passport, Aadhaar, voter ID, mobile number, driving licence, Covid-19 vaccination status and permanent residential address.

Challenging Task in High-Altitude Areas

Officials face major challenges while conducting the census in remote Himalayan villages. Areas like Zanskar, Hanle and other high-altitude settlements require special arrangements due to difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions.

Special teams have been deployed to ensure that even the most isolated families are included in the population count.

Digital Census to Cover Millions

The early enumeration phase will cover thousands of villages in snow-bound regions before winter makes travel difficult. Officials said the digital system will help monitor the process in real time and improve accuracy.

The nationwide population count will continue in other parts of India next year, with data collection expected to conclude in 2027.

The Census 2027 is expected to provide the first detailed population data of India in over a decade, covering caste, education, employment, migration and other social indicators.