UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Kerala MP moves private Bill to hold Census every 10 years

Q1. Which one of the following is the nodal agency responsible for the conduct of the decennial Census in India under the Census Act, 1948?

  • A. National Statistical Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • B. Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. Unique Identification Authority of India under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • D. Central Statistical Organisation under NITI Aayog

Q2. With reference to the conduct of Census in India, which one of the following is the principal parent legislation that the Census Amendment Bill, 2024 (introduced by a Rajya Sabha MP in February 2026) seeks to amend?

  • A. The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008
  • B. The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969
  • C. The Census Act, 1948
  • D. The Citizenship Act, 1955

Q3. In how many phases is the upcoming Population Census 2027 of India scheduled to be conducted, as announced by the Government of India?

  • A. One single synchronous phase
  • B. Two phases
  • C. Three phases
  • D. Four phases

Q4. In the context of Indian Parliament, the term 'Private Member's Bill' — under which Haris Beeran tabled the Census Amendment Bill, 2024 — is best defined as:

  • A. A Bill introduced by any Member of Parliament who is not a Minister in the Council of Ministers
  • B. A Bill introduced by a Minister in his personal capacity rather than as the official position of the Government
  • C. A Bill placed before a Joint Parliamentary Committee in camera for confidential consideration
  • D. A Bill introduced by a State Legislature for ratification by the Union Parliament

Q5. With reference to the upcoming Census 2027 of India, consider the following statements: 1. It will be conducted in two phases — House Listing & Housing Census followed by Population Enumeration. 2. Comprehensive caste enumeration will be carried out as part of the Population Enumeration phase. 3. Phase I (House Listing) is scheduled to commence in April 2026 in select States and Union Territories. 4. It will be conducted under the newly enacted Census Act, 2024, which has repealed and replaced the Census Act, 1948. Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?

  1. It will be conducted in two phases — House Listing & Housing Census followed by Population Enumeration.
  2. Comprehensive caste enumeration will be carried out as part of the Population Enumeration phase.
  3. Phase I (House Listing) is scheduled to commence in April 2026 in select States and Union Territories.
  4. It will be conducted under the newly enacted Census Act, 2024, which has repealed and replaced the Census Act, 1948.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only