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The 6th population census, also known as the Census of India 2027, will be the first complete national digital census to be held in the country and will be achieved in 2 phases.

Phase 1: listing and Housing Census (April to September 2026)

This will be the first step, and it will be a house-to-house survey to gather information on the housing condition and family specifics with regard to facilities and the quantity of assets. It also has 33 notified items that are related to the type and condition of houses, building materials, ownership of the same, access to drinking water, electricity, sanitation, cooking fuel, internet, and assets owned by households. The sex of the head of household will be first captured in three categories, namely, male, female, and transgender.

Phase 2: Population Enumeration (February 2027)

The second stage will involve listing all the individuals with detailed demographic, socio-economic, and cultural data like age, sex, marital status, education, economic activity, migration, fertility, religion, disability, language, and caste. This is the first time the listing of castes has been done since 1931. The reference date would be March 1, 2027 (January and snowbound areas of September/October 2026 have to be adjusted). This information will be utilized to offer vital inputs in planning the policies of villages, towns and wards