The census, a process involving the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of demographic, social, cultural, and economic data for all persons in the country, provides the richest source of information for planners, administrators, researchers, and other data users. According to the government, census data is fundamental for governance, enabling informed decision-making across political, social, and economic spheres. It supports inclusive, targeted policy making tailored to the population's diverse needs.

Historical records reveal that census activities in India date back to Kautilya's Arthashastra (321-296 BC) and Abul Fazl's 'Ain-e-Akbari' during Emperor Akbar's reign. The first modern population census occurred between 1865 and 1872, albeit not simultaneously across all regions. The initial simultaneous census was conducted in 1881, and every ten years since, the Indian census has provided reliable population data, refining methodologies and expanding coverage over time.

Census 2027 will be the eighth census since independence and is described as the largest in the world, incorporating several pioneering features including mobile-based data collection, near real-time monitoring via the Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal, an optional self-enumeration facility, and extensive use of geo-referenced jurisdictions. Furthermore, comprehensive caste enumeration will be included during the Population Enumeration phase. The use of advanced digital tools aims to deliver faster, more accurate, and granular data while maintaining strong data security and broad public participation.

The census, conducted every ten years, was postponed from its original schedule in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its governance is anchored in the Census Act of 1948 and the Census Rules of 1990, ensuring a robust legal and institutional framework that guarantees consistency, credibility, and nationwide uniformity in data collection.

The exercise falls under the Union subject as listed in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution (serial number 69), with central coordination and implementation in close cooperation with State and Union Territory governments. This framework ensures smooth execution nationwide. Moreover, strict confidentiality of individual data is ensured under Section 15 of the Census Act: personal information is protected from disclosure under the Right to Information Act, inadmissible as court evidence, and cannot be shared with other institutions, thus reinforcing public trust.

The government announced its intent to conduct the Population Census 2027 in the Gazette of India on June 16, 2025. The Union Cabinet has approved a budget of Rs 11,718.24 crore for the census.

The census will proceed in two phases. The first, House Listing and Housing Census (HLO), will occur between April and September 2026. Each State and Union Territory will have a 30-day period for fieldwork along with a 15-day self-enumeration window before commencement. This phase will gather data on housing conditions, amenities, and household assets.

The second phase, Population Enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027 and will collect extensive demographic, socio-economic, cultural, migration, and fertility-related data. In Ladakh and the snowbound regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, this phase will take place earlier, in September 2026, due to climatic considerations.