Questionnaire for first phase of Census 2027
Context
Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) notified questions for the first phase of Census 2027.
Notification issued in the Official Gazette.
Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases.
Census 2027: phases and timeline
Houselisting and Housing Census (First phase)
Period: April 1 – September 30, 2026
33 questions notified
Focus: housing conditions, household amenities, and assets
Population Enumeration (Second phase)
Scheduled for February 2027
Caste enumeration to be done in this phase
Questions for this phase not yet notified
Key features of Census 2027
First fully digital Census in India.
First Census to include caste enumeration since 1931.
Self-enumeration facility:
Respondents can fill details through an online portal (yet to be announced).
Changes compared to Census 2021 notification
Census 2021 (notified in January 2020) had 31 questions.
Census 2027 first phase has 33 questions.
Major change:
Earlier single question on floor, wall, and roof material
Now split into three separate questions on:
Predominant material of floor
Predominant material of wall
Predominant material of roof
Broad categories of questions (First phase)
Identification
Building number
Census house number
Household number
Housing characteristics
Use and condition of Census house
Predominant material of floor, wall, roof
Ownership status
Number of dwelling rooms
Household composition
Total number of residents
Head of household (name, sex, SC/ST/Other status)
Number of married couples
Amenities and services
Drinking water source and availability
Lighting source
Latrine access and type
Waste water outlet
Bathing facility
Kitchen and LPG/PNG connection
Cooking fuel
Assets and digital access
Radio, television
Internet access
Laptop/computer
Telephone/mobile/smartphone
Vehicles (bicycle to car)
Consumption pattern
Main cereal consumed
Contact detail
Mobile number (for Census-related communication only)
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. With reference to Census 2027, consider the following statements:
It will be the first Census in India to be conducted digitally.
Caste enumeration will be carried out during the houselisting phase.
Self-enumeration by citizens will be allowed.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: b
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2 is incorrect: caste enumeration will be in the Population Enumeration phase.
Statement 3 is correct.
Q. How many questions have been notified for the first phase of Census 2027?
a) 29
b) 31
c) 33
d) 35
Answer: c
Explanation:
The houselisting phase of Census 2027 contains 33 questions.