India’s first digital enumeration Census 2027 to boost data-driven policymaking
New Delhi: Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital enumeration, using mobile-based data collection to generate reliable and comprehensive information for policymaking and inclusive development, an official fact-sheet said on Saturday.
The exercise will introduce several new features, including near real-time monitoring through the Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal, an optional self-enumeration facility, and extensive use of geo-referenced mapping for administrative areas, an official fact-sheet said.
In a significant policy decision, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the Census. Previously, up to the 2011 Census, only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) were systematically recorded.
The Census will be conducted with an approved budget of Rs 11,718.24 crore and will incorporate enhanced data security measures, including Critical Information Infrastructure (CII)-designated data centres.
“With secure Critical Information Infrastructure (CII)-designated data centres and a large workforce – Census 2027 will deliver reliable data for targeted and inclusive policymaking,” the statement said.
Planned in two structured phases, the exercise aims to ensure comprehensive and systematic data collection across the country.
The Census plays a crucial role in assessing population trends and enabling effective planning in key sectors such as food, water, energy, and infrastructure. Its granular data helps improve delivery of government schemes and ensures efficient allocation of resources.
As India’s eighth Census since Independence, Census 2027 is expected to strengthen data-driven governance by offering updated demographic, social, and economic insights to address emerging challenges in a rapidly evolving socio-economic landscape, the statement added.
Census is the systematic process of collecting, compiling, analysing, and disseminating data on the demographic, social, cultural, and economic characteristics of all individuals within a country or a specific area. The extensive information gathered makes it one of the most valuable sources of data for policymakers, administrators, researchers, and other stakeholders.
Widely regarded as the largest enumeration exercise in the world, the upcoming census marks a major step forward with digital integration, improved security, and streamlined processes, reinforcing evidence-based policymaking in India.
(DD News)
