UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Budget allocates ₹6,000 crore for Census exercise

Q1. With reference to the Census of India 2027, as approved by the Union Cabinet and reflected in the Union Budget 2026-27, consider the following: 1. The exercise is conducted under the Census Act, 1948. 2. The first-tranche Budget Estimate of ₹6,000 crore in 2026-27 falls under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. 3. The exercise will include enumeration of caste, the first such enumeration in a national Census since 1931. 4. An updation of the National Population Register (NPR) has been integrated as a component of Census 2027. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. The exercise is conducted under the Census Act, 1948.
2. The first-tranche Budget Estimate of ₹6,000 crore in 2026-27 falls under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
3. The exercise will include enumeration of caste, the first such enumeration in a national Census since 1931.
4. An updation of the National Population Register (NPR) has been integrated as a component of Census 2027.

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 2 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 4
• D. 3 only

Q2. With reference to how Census 2027 differs from earlier Censuses of India, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike all previous Censuses, Census 2027 will be conducted as a fully digital enumeration with an option of citizen self-enumeration through a web portal. 2. Census 2027 will be the first Census after independence to include caste enumeration in its scope. 3. Census 2027 will be the first ever Census of India to be conducted in two phases, namely a Houselisting phase and a Population Enumeration phase. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Unlike all previous Censuses, Census 2027 will be conducted as a fully digital enumeration with an option of citizen self-enumeration through a web portal.
2. Census 2027 will be the first Census after independence to include caste enumeration in its scope.
3. Census 2027 will be the first ever Census of India to be conducted in two phases, namely a Houselisting phase and a Population Enumeration phase.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the Census of India 2027 scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on 12 December 2025, consider the following: 1. Total outlay sanctioned by the Cabinet: ₹11,718.24 crore. 2. Phase I — Houselisting and Housing Census: April to September 2026. 3. Phase II — Population Enumeration: February 2027. 4. Approximate strength of field functionaries (enumerators and supervisors) to be deployed: 30 lakh. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Total outlay sanctioned by the Cabinet: ₹11,718.24 crore.
2. Phase I — Houselisting and Housing Census: April to September 2026.
3. Phase II — Population Enumeration: February 2027.
4. Approximate strength of field functionaries (enumerators and supervisors) to be deployed: 30 lakh.

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 2 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. In the context of Census 2027, the term 'Self-Enumeration' refers to which one of the following?

• A. A facility allowing citizens to directly enter their household details online through a secure web-based portal during a 15-day window preceding the door-to-door enumeration.
• B. The authority of State Governments to conduct an independent parallel state-level enumeration alongside the Union Census.
• C. A statutory entitlement, under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948, by which a citizen may opt out of being counted in the national Census.
• D. The process by which the Registrar General compiles provisional population totals from sample blocks before final tabulation.

Q5. Which one of the following is the nodal authority for conducting the Census of India 2027, under whom the ₹6,000 crore Budget Estimate 2026-27 for the Census has been provisioned?

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