The Government of India has taken a major step towards conducting the Census 2027, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiling two official mascots — Pragati and Vikas — and launching a suite of digital tools in New Delhi.
The initiative signals India’s transition towards its first fully digital census, which will be the world’s largest enumeration exercise.
Key Highlights
- The census will involve over 30 lakh enumerators, supervisors, and officials across the country.
- It will be conducted in two phases.
- Several advanced digital platforms developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) were launched to streamline census operations.
- Citizens will have the option of Self-Enumeration, enabling them to submit household information online.
- The government had earlier notified its intention to conduct the census through a Gazette notification issued on June 16, 2025.
Census 2027 Mascots
Two mascots were unveiled to promote public awareness about the census.
| Mascot | Description | Significance |
| Pragati | Female enumerator | Symbolises women’s participation and progress |
| Vikas | Male enumerator | Represents development and collective participation |
Purpose of Mascots
- Serve as the public faces of the Census 2027 campaign.
- Promote citizen engagement and awareness.
- Symbolise gender equality and inclusive nation-building toward the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Digital Platforms for Census Operations
Four major digital tools were launched to modernise census activities.
| Digital Tool | Purpose |
| Houselisting Block Creator (HLBC) Web Application | Uses satellite imagery to create standardised houselisting blocks for accurate geographic coverage |
| HLO Mobile Application | Allows enumerators to collect and upload houselisting data directly from the field using secure mobile devices |
| Self-Enumeration (SE) Portal | Enables households to submit census data online before the field survey |
| Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) Portal | Centralised dashboard for real-time planning, monitoring and management of census activities |
Significance
- Reduces paperwork
- Improves efficiency and transparency
- Enables real-time monitoring of field operations
Self-Enumeration Facility
For the first time in India’s census history, citizens can self-enumerate online.
Features
- Secure web-based portal
- Available in 16 languages
- Households can submit details before field visits
- Generates a unique Self-Enumeration ID
- Enumerators verify submitted data during door-to-door surveys
This step aims to enhance citizen participation and data accuracy.
Two-Phase Census Structure
The Census 2027 will be conducted in two stages.
Phase 1: Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO)
| Feature | Details |
| Purpose | Collect information on housing conditions and household amenities |
| Period | Between April 1 – September 30, 2026 |
| Duration | 30-day period notified by each state/UT |
| Self-Enumeration Window | 15 days before the survey |
Phase 2: Population Enumeration (PE)
| Feature | Details |
| Purpose | Collect demographic, social and economic data of individuals |
| Timeline | February 2027 |
| Special Regions | Enumeration in Ladakh and snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will take place in September 2026 |
| Additional Feature | Caste-related question included |
Census Reference Date
| Region | Reference Date |
| Most states and UTs | Midnight of March 1, 2027 |
| Snow-bound regions | October 1, 2026 |
Significance of Census 2027
- First fully digital census in India.
- Expected to be the largest population enumeration exercise in the world.
- Incorporates digital technology and satellite mapping.
- Enhances citizen participation through self-enumeration.
- Improves data accuracy, transparency and monitoring.
- Supports evidence-based policymaking for development planning.
Census in India
| Feature | Details |
| First Census in India | 1872 (non-synchronous) |
| First synchronous census | 1881 |
| Conducted by | Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |
| Legal Basis | Census Act, 1948 |
| Frequency | Every 10 years |