Population enumeration for Census in 4 poll-bound states from Dec 1, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027
The Registrar General of India (RGI) has officially advanced the population enumeration phase for Census 2027 in Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and non-snow-bound areas of Uttarakhand. The exercise will run from December 1, 2026, to January 4, 2027, followed by a revisional round from January 5 to January 9, 2027.
The schedule adjustment avoids overlaps with assembly elections expected in early 2027 across these states, as government personnel—primarily schoolteachers—are deployed for both operations. Meanwhile, house-listing operations for Manipur have been deferred.
Revised Census Timeline & Schedules
| Region / State | Self-Enumeration Window | Population Enumeration Period | Reference Date |
Poll-Bound States (Goa, UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand) | Nov 16 – Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 (Revisional: Jan 5–9, 2027) | March 1, 2027 |
Snow-Bound Areas (Ladakh, J&K, HP, Uttarakhand) | Aug 17 – Aug 31, 2026 | Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 (00:00 hrs) |
| Rest of India | To be announced | February 2027 (Expected) | March 1, 2027 (00:00 hrs) |
Key Operational Details
Self-Enumeration Option: Residents in the four poll-bound regions can choose to submit their census data online during the late-November window before physical enumerators visit.
National Scope: This marks the eighth census conducted since Indian independence. Delayed from its original 2021 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Cabinet approved Rs 11,718 crore for the two-phase project (housing listing followed by population enumeration).
Data Collected: Enumerators will collect information on demography, socio-cultural factors, economic status, migration history, and fertility characteristics across every household. (PTI)