UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India addresses Press Conference on Census-2027, in New Delhi today

Q1. Which one of the following is the principal enabling legislation under which the decennial Census of India is conducted?

  • A. The Census Act, 1948
  • B. The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969
  • C. The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008
  • D. The Census Rules, 1990

Q2. Under the Census Act, 1948, the conduct of the decennial Census of India is operationalised by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India
  • B. National Statistical Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • C. NITI Aayog
  • D. Unique Identification Authority of India

Q3. India's first synchronous census, conducted in 1881, was carried out during the viceroyalty of which one of the following?

  • A. Lord Ripon
  • B. Lord Mayo
  • C. Lord Dufferin
  • D. Lord Curzon

Q4. With reference to the history of the Census in India, consider the following statements: 1. The first census operations of 1872 were conducted non-synchronously. 2. The first synchronous census of India was conducted in 1881 under Lord Ripon. 3. Census 2027 will be the 16th census in the Indian census series. 4. The Census of 2021 was conducted on schedule, and digital enumeration was introduced only with Census 2027. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The first census operations of 1872 were conducted non-synchronously.
  2. The first synchronous census of India was conducted in 1881 under Lord Ripon.
  3. Census 2027 will be the 16th census in the Indian census series.
  4. The Census of 2021 was conducted on schedule, and digital enumeration was introduced only with Census 2027.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to caste enumeration in Census 2027, consider the following statements: 1. Caste data will be captured during Phase-II, the Population Enumeration. 2. The decision to include caste enumeration was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs. 3. The last census in which castes other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were comprehensively enumerated was 1931. 4. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were excluded from all census operations conducted after independence. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Caste data will be captured during Phase-II, the Population Enumeration.
  2. The decision to include caste enumeration was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs.
  3. The last census in which castes other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were comprehensively enumerated was 1931.
  4. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were excluded from all census operations conducted after independence.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q6. With reference to caste enumeration in Census 2027, consider the following statements: 1. Census 2027 will enumerate all castes, the first such comprehensive exercise since independence. 2. Caste data will be captured electronically. 3. Caste enumeration will be carried out during the Houselisting and Housing Census phase. 4. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in April 2025. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Census 2027 will enumerate all castes, the first such comprehensive exercise since independence.
  2. Caste data will be captured electronically.
  3. Caste enumeration will be carried out during the Houselisting and Housing Census phase.
  4. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in April 2025.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3

Q7. For most States and Union Territories (other than Ladakh and specified snow-bound areas), what is the reference date fixed for Census 2027?

  • A. 00:00 hours of 1 March 2027
  • B. 00:00 hours of 1 October 2026
  • C. 00:00 hours of 1 April 2026
  • D. 00:00 hours of 1 February 2027

Q8. The Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • D. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Q9. Who is the top authority for conducting the Census and overseeing civil registration of births and deaths across the country?

  • A. Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India
  • B. Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths
  • C. Director General, National Statistical Office
  • D. Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Q10. The scheme for the conduct of Census of India 2027 (with its financial outlay) was approved by which one of the following?

  • A. The Union Cabinet
  • B. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
  • C. The National Statistical Commission
  • D. The Inter-State Council

Q11. With reference to the constitutional and governance uses of Census data, consider the following statements: 1. Article 82 of the Constitution provides for readjustment of the allocation of Lok Sabha seats to States upon completion of each census. 2. Census is listed as a subject in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule. 3. The 15th Finance Commission used population data from the 1971 Census for tax devolution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Article 82 of the Constitution provides for readjustment of the allocation of Lok Sabha seats to States upon completion of each census.
  2. Census is listed as a subject in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule.
  3. The 15th Finance Commission used population data from the 1971 Census for tax devolution.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3