The Centre has released the finalised list of questions for the house-listing and housing census phase of Census 2027, marking a key preparatory step ahead of India’s next nationwide population exercise. The notification was published in The Gazette of India on Thursday and issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India.
The notification has been issued under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948, and formally supersedes an earlier notification issued in January 2020, which could not be operationalised following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the notification, census officials will collect detailed information from all households within their assigned jurisdictions during the house-listing and housing census, which constitutes Phase I of Census 2027. The questionnaire for Phase II, which involves population enumeration, will be notified separately at a later stage.
The house-listing and housing census will focus primarily on collecting data related to housing conditions, household structure and access to basic amenities. Enumerators will record identifying details such as the building number, census house number and household number to ensure accurate mapping and coverage.
Information will also be gathered on the predominant construction materials used in the floor, walls and roof of the census house, along with details regarding the use and current condition of the structure. Officials will record whether the census house is used for residential, commercial, mixed or other purposes.
The questionnaire further includes details on the ownership status of the house, the total number of dwelling rooms and the number of married couples residing within the household. These indicators are expected to provide insights into housing adequacy, living arrangements and household density across regions.
In addition, census officials will collect information on the total number of persons usually residing in each household. Details such as the name and sex of the head of the household will be recorded, along with information on whether the head belongs to a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or other social categories, as mandated under existing census frameworks.
Access to basic amenities forms a significant component of the questionnaire. Enumerators will document the main source of drinking water for the household and its availability. Information will also be collected on the primary source of lighting, availability of a latrine and the type of latrine in use.
The questionnaire further seeks details on wastewater outlets, availability of bathing facilities and the presence of a kitchen within the household. Data will also be collected on whether the household has an LPG or PNG connection and the main fuel used for cooking.
In a move reflecting changing consumption patterns and technological penetration, the census will also record ownership of household assets. These include radio or transistor, television, internet access, laptop or computer, telephone or mobile phone or smartphone, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle or moped, as well as car, jeep or van.
The inclusion of digital access indicators such as internet connectivity and smartphone ownership is expected to provide policymakers with valuable data on the digital divide and infrastructure reach across urban and rural India.
Apart from physical and digital assets, the questionnaire also includes a query on the main cereal consumed in the household, offering insights into dietary patterns across regions and communities.
To facilitate communication related to census operations, officials will also collect a mobile number from households, specifically for census-related purposes.
The Ministry of Home Affairs clarified through the notification that the questionnaire pertains only to Phase I of Census 2027, covering house-listing and housing enumeration. The detailed questionnaire for Phase II, involving population enumeration, will be notified in due course.
The notification was also acknowledged through an official post by Census India 2027 on social media, reiterating that the exercise forms the foundation for the larger population census to follow.
With the notification now in place, preparations for Census 2027 are expected to gather pace, setting the stage for one of the world’s largest administrative and data-collection exercises.
