First-Ever Digital Census in 2027

Context:

The Registrar General of India (RGI) has announced that the 2027 Census will be India's first digital Census, introducing self-enumeration via a web portal and the use of mobile applications for real-time data collection, with the aim of ensuring faster availability of Census data.

First Digital Census (2027):

For the first time, digital tools and platforms will be used to collect demographic data.
Data will be transmitted electronically to a central server, ensuring reduced lag in data availability.
Self-enumeration will be enabled via a dedicated web portal.
Mobile applications (Android and iOS) will support data collection in English, Hindi, and regional languages.

Comparison with Previous Censuses:

The last completed Census was 2011; the 2021 Census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In traditional censuses, primary data took 2–3 years to become publicly available.
The 2027 digital approach is aimed at real-time or early data dissemination.

Phased Implementation:

The Census will be conducted in two phases, similar to earlier patterns (House-listing followed by Population Enumeration).
Residents can participate in both phases via self-enumeration.

Institutional Coordination:

All States/UTs have been directed to appoint nodal officers for overseeing implementation and coordination.
This marks a federal approach to data collection, integrating both Centre and State mechanisms.

Relevance of Census in Governance:

Census data is foundational for:
- Delimitation of constituencies
- Reservation of seats (SC/ST)
- Resource allocation and welfare planning
- Monitoring migration, urbanisation, and socio-economic indicators

Registrar General of India (RGI)

Establishment and Institutional Role

The Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI) was established in 1949 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Registrar General also serves as the Ex-Officio Census Commissioner of India.
The position is usually held by a Joint Secretary-level civil servant.
Key Functions of the RGI
Census of India (Decennial):
- Conducts the Census every 10 years, which provides granular data on population, socio-economic, and geographic indicators.
- Last completed Census: 2011.
- Upcoming: 2027 (First Digital Census).
Linguistic Survey of India (LSI):
- Conducted along with the Census to assess linguistic diversity.
- The first LSI was conducted by George Abraham Grierson, completed in 1928.
- Modern surveys focus on language use, dialects, and linguistic distribution.
Civil Registration System (CRS):
- A continuous, real-time population database, mandated for recording births and deaths.
- Operates under the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969.
- The RBD Act was amended in 2023, making digital registration on a central portal mandatory from October 1, 2023.
Vital Statistics Compilation:
- Publishes Annual Vital Statistics Reports derived from CRS.
- Used for policy formulation, public health monitoring, and demographic analysis.
Legal Framework
Census Act, 1948: Governs the conduct of Census in India.
Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969:
- Legal basis for compulsory registration of all births and deaths.
- Section 12: Empowers the Registrar to issue birth/death certificates.
- 2023 Amendment: Mandates use of a Central Digital Portal for real-time registration.