Field Operations for Houselisting and Housing Census Commences in Himachal Pradesh; Self-Enumeration Begins in Kerala and Nagaland

• Census 2027 is India's 16th Census and the first-ever digital census, conducted in two phases: Phase-I Houselisting & Housing Operation (HLO) and Phase-II Population Enumeration (PE).
• It marks the first comprehensive caste enumeration since 1931 for all individuals, approved by Cabinet on 30 April 2025.
• Phase-I has been staggered State-wise from April to September 2026, with HLO commencing on 16 June 2026 in Himachal Pradesh and Self-Enumeration (SE) opening in Kerala and Nagaland.
• High UPSC weight: Census Act 1948, Article 246 Union List Entry 69, federal execution, digital governance, demographic statistics base for delimitation & reservation.