UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘No private data sought for Census; ID details will be collected only if available’
Q1. Which one of the following correctly states the position occupied by Census 2027 in the sequence of Indian censuses?
- A. The 15th census overall and the 8th census since Independence
- B. The 17th census overall and the 7th census since Independence
- C. The 16th census overall and the 8th census since Independence
- D. The 16th census overall and the 7th census since Independence
Q2. Approximately how many enumerators and supervisors are being mobilised for the conduct of Census 2027?
- A. About 21 lakh
- B. About 31 lakh
- C. About 41 lakh
- D. About 51 lakh
Q3. The expression 'comprehensive caste enumeration', as applied to Census 2027, is best understood to mean which one of the following?
- A. Recording caste only in respect of persons who claim benefits under the central list of Other Backward Classes maintained for reservation purposes
- B. Recording caste only for households falling below a prescribed income threshold, on the pattern of a socio-economic and caste survey
- C. Recording caste at the household level for the head of the household alone, the particulars being extended to other members by inference
- D. Recording the caste of every person through an entry that is not confined to the notified Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe lists
Q4. The question on caste in the population enumeration schedule of Census 2027 is one among how many questions that did not form part of the corresponding Census 2011 schedule?
Q5. The population enumeration phase of Census 2027 that commenced ahead of the nationwide schedule covers areas lying in how many States/Union Territories?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. All the eight Himalayan States and Union Territories, without exception
Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the schedule of Census 2027:
1. The population enumeration phase began in Ladakh in advance of the rest of the country.
2. For the country as a whole, the population enumeration is scheduled for February 2027.
3. The reference date fixed for Ladakh and the snow-bound non-synchronous areas is the 1st of March 2027.
4. The houselisting and housing census phase commenced on the 1st of April 2026.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- The population enumeration phase began in Ladakh in advance of the rest of the country.
- For the country as a whole, the population enumeration is scheduled for February 2027.
- The reference date fixed for Ladakh and the snow-bound non-synchronous areas is the 1st of March 2027.
- The houselisting and housing census phase commenced on the 1st of April 2026.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 3 only
- C. 2 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q7. Consider the following statements comparing the legal and constitutional footing of the census with its administrative conduct:
1. Census is a subject in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule, though the field operations are carried out through the State administrative machinery.
2. Census 2027 is being conducted under the Census Act, 1948 read with the Census Rules, 1990.
3. Census 2027 is the first census for which the questions to be canvassed have been notified by the Registrar General under the Census Act, 1948.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Census is a subject in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule, though the field operations are carried out through the State administrative machinery.
- Census 2027 is being conducted under the Census Act, 1948 read with the Census Rules, 1990.
- Census 2027 is the first census for which the questions to be canvassed have been notified by the Registrar General under the Census Act, 1948.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q8. The guarantee attaching to information furnished by a respondent to a census officer under the Census Act, 1948, consists in which one of the following?
- A. Such entries are inadmissible in every judicial proceeding without exception, including a prosecution launched under the Act itself
- B. Such entries may be inspected by any department of Government for administrative purposes, though not by private persons or bodies
- C. Such entries become open to public inspection once the aggregate results of that census have been published by the Registrar General
- D. Such entries are inadmissible as evidence in civil proceedings, and in criminal proceedings other than a prosecution under the Act
Q9. In the context of Census 2027, the Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) refers to which one of the following?
- A. The login credential issued to each census enumerator for operating the mobile application used for digital data capture in the field
- B. The reference number generated for a household that submits its own particulars on the census portal, to be quoted when the enumerator visits
- C. The identification code allotted to every enumeration block in an urban or rural area for the purpose of mapping and monitoring coverage
- D. The serial number printed on the houselisting slip that an enumerator affixes to each dwelling after completing the first phase of the census
Q10. Consider the following statements comparing the population enumeration schedule of Census 2027 with that of Census 2011:
1. The 2027 schedule, unlike that of 2011, records the number of bank accounts held and the place of COVID-19 vaccination.
2. Identity particulars such as Aadhaar and voter identity card numbers are recorded in the 2027 schedule only where available, and are not compulsory.
3. Digital data capture through a mobile application and the facility of self-enumeration were both introduced for the first time in Census 2011.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The 2027 schedule, unlike that of 2011, records the number of bank accounts held and the place of COVID-19 vaccination.
- Identity particulars such as Aadhaar and voter identity card numbers are recorded in the 2027 schedule only where available, and are not compulsory.
- Digital data capture through a mobile application and the facility of self-enumeration were both introduced for the first time in Census 2011.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q11. Consider the following details relating to the questionnaires of the Indian census:
1. Houselisting and Housing Census, 2026 — 33 questions, notified in January 2026.
2. Population Enumeration, 2027 — 40 questions, notified in August 2026.
3. Population Enumeration, 2011 — 29 questions.
4. Population Enumeration, 2027 — the identity-related questions on Aadhaar, voter identity card, passport and driving licence occupy the first four places in the schedule.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Houselisting and Housing Census, 2026 — 33 questions, notified in January 2026.
- Population Enumeration, 2027 — 40 questions, notified in August 2026.
- Population Enumeration, 2011 — 29 questions.
- Population Enumeration, 2027 — the identity-related questions on Aadhaar, voter identity card, passport and driving licence occupy the first four places in the schedule.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q12. Consider the following statements about the evolution of the census in India:
1. The first synchronous census covering India was held in 1881, the earlier enumeration having been carried out non-synchronously over the years 1865 to 1872.
2. Census 2027 follows the postponement of the census that fell due in 2021.
3. Caste across all groups was last recorded in the census of 1941, later censuses being confined to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe status.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The first synchronous census covering India was held in 1881, the earlier enumeration having been carried out non-synchronously over the years 1865 to 1872.
- Census 2027 follows the postponement of the census that fell due in 2021.
- Caste across all groups was last recorded in the census of 1941, later censuses being confined to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe status.
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 2 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3