UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Houselisting Operations under Census 2027 begins in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

Q1. Census 2027, whose Houselisting Operations have commenced, will be which number Census of India since Independence?

  • A. 6th
  • B. 7th
  • C. 8th
  • D. 9th

Q2. Under which entry of the Union List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India is 'Census' enumerated as a subject of Union legislative competence?

  • A. Entry 45
  • B. Entry 69
  • C. Entry 81
  • D. Entry 97

Q3. In the context of Census 2027, the term 'Reference Date' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The date on which the field enumeration work formally commences across the country
  • B. The specific moment in time (00:00 hours of 1 March 2027) with reference to which the demographic particulars of every person are recorded, irrespective of when the enumerator actually visits
  • C. The date on which the Self-Enumeration web portal is opened for households to fill in their particulars online
  • D. The cut-off date by which the Registrar General must publish the provisional population totals after the enumeration phase

Q4. With reference to the two-phase schedule of Census 2027, consider the following statements: 1. Phase I Houselisting and Housing Operations (HLO) is being conducted between April and September 2026, with a 30-day window in each State/UT. 2. Phase II Population Enumeration is scheduled for February 2027. 3. The Reference Date of 00:00 hours of 1 October 2026 applies to Ladakh and the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 4. Caste enumeration of all individuals will be carried out as part of Phase I along with the housing questionnaire. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Phase I Houselisting and Housing Operations (HLO) is being conducted between April and September 2026, with a 30-day window in each State/UT.
  2. Phase II Population Enumeration is scheduled for February 2027.
  3. The Reference Date of 00:00 hours of 1 October 2026 applies to Ladakh and the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
  4. Caste enumeration of all individuals will be carried out as part of Phase I along with the housing questionnaire.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q5. Of the questions notified for Phase I (Houselisting and Housing Census) of Census 2027, how many can be answered by a respondent through the Self-Enumeration portal se.census.gov.in?

  • A. 16
  • B. 27
  • C. 30
  • D. 33

Q6. Census 2027, described as the world's largest census exercise and India's first fully digital census, is being conducted under the overall charge of which one of the following as the nodal authority?

  • A. National Statistical Office (NSO)
  • B. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • C. Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q7. Which one of the following was the last Indian Census in which the population of all castes was enumerated?

  • A. 1921
  • B. 1931
  • C. 1941
  • D. 1951

Q8. With reference to the caste enumeration proposed in Census 2027 and the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011, consider the following statements: 1. SECC 2011 was conducted under the Census Act, 1948 by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2. The decision to include caste enumeration in Census 2027 was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) in April 2025. 3. Unlike the data collection of SECC 2011, the caste enumeration in Census 2027 will be carried out during the Population Enumeration phase. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. SECC 2011 was conducted under the Census Act, 1948 by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  2. The decision to include caste enumeration in Census 2027 was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) in April 2025.
  3. Unlike the data collection of SECC 2011, the caste enumeration in Census 2027 will be carried out during the Population Enumeration phase.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. With reference to the historical evolution of the Indian Census, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The first census in India was a non-synchronous exercise conducted between 1865 and 1872.
  2. India's first synchronous census was carried out in 1881.
  3. Census 2027 will be the 16th in the series of Indian censuses and the 8th since Independence.
  4. The decennial Indian Census series has been conducted without any interruption since 1872.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. In the context of the history of the Indian Census, the description of the Census of 1881 as the 'first synchronous census' of India refers to which one of the following?

  • A. It was the first census in which the enumeration of population was carried out simultaneously across British India with reference to a single point of time.
  • B. It was the first census conducted after the establishment of a permanent Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  • C. It was the first census conducted under a Census Act enacted by the Imperial Legislative Council of India.
  • D. It was the first census that included a full caste-wise enumeration of the entire Indian population.

Q11. Which of the following are functions or responsibilities currently discharged by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India? 1. Conducting the decennial Census of India under the Census Act, 1948. 2. Coordinating the implementation of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 in the country. 3. Updating the National Population Register prepared under the Citizenship Rules, 2003. 4. Conducting the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) for identification of rural and urban deprivation. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Conducting the decennial Census of India under the Census Act, 1948.
  2. Coordinating the implementation of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 in the country.
  3. Updating the National Population Register prepared under the Citizenship Rules, 2003.
  4. Conducting the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) for identification of rural and urban deprivation.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q12. With reference to the activities of the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, consider the following statements: 1. The Sample Registration System always provides district-level estimates of the Infant Mortality Rate, whereas the decennial Census provides only national-level estimates. 2. Both the decennial Census of India and the Sample Registration System are coordinated by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 3. The Civil Registration System operates under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, with the Registrar General of India acting as the coordinating authority while State Chief Registrars implement it in the States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Sample Registration System always provides district-level estimates of the Infant Mortality Rate, whereas the decennial Census provides only national-level estimates.
  2. Both the decennial Census of India and the Sample Registration System are coordinated by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  3. The Civil Registration System operates under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, with the Registrar General of India acting as the coordinating authority while State Chief Registrars implement it in the States.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q13. Which one of the following authorities is responsible for the conduct of the Houselisting Operations (HLO) of Census 2027 that commenced on 1 May 2026 in six States/UTs?

  • A. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation through the National Statistical Office
  • B. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. NITI Aayog in coordination with the State Census Directorates
  • D. Unique Identification Authority of India under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q14. On 1 May 2026, the field phase of the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) under Census 2027 was simultaneously launched in how many States/Union Territories?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Six
  • D. Eight

Q15. The Houselisting and Housing Census operations of Census 2027 currently underway in States such as Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh are being conducted under the provisions of which one of the following statutes?

  • A. Collection of Statistics Act, 2008
  • B. Census Act, 1948
  • C. Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969
  • D. Citizenship Act, 1955 read with the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003