UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — LOK SABHA SPEAKER JOINS NATIONAL CENSUS 2027; COMPLETES DIGITAL SELF-ENUMERATION

Q1. The decennial Census of India, including Census 2027, is operationally conducted by which one of the following bodies?

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

Q2. With reference to the administrative and legal framework of Census 2027 as compared with earlier censuses, consider the following statements: 1. The Census Act, 1948 continues to be the enabling statute for Census 2027, as it was for earlier censuses. 2. Unlike earlier censuses, Census 2027 will be conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation instead of the Ministry of Home Affairs. 3. The authority to conduct the Census is vested exclusively in the Central Government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Census Act, 1948 continues to be the enabling statute for Census 2027, as it was for earlier censuses.
  2. Unlike earlier censuses, Census 2027 will be conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation instead of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  3. The authority to conduct the Census is vested exclusively in the Central Government.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Census 2027 will be which number in the continuous series of Indian censuses that began in 1881?

  • A. 14th
  • B. 15th
  • C. 16th
  • D. 17th

Q4. With reference to caste enumeration in Census 2027 compared with post-independence census practice, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike censuses conducted after independence, which enumerated only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Census 2027 will enumerate all castes. 2. The decision to include caste enumeration was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on 30 April 2025. 3. The approval of caste enumeration was accorded separately from the Union Cabinet's later approval of the overall scheme for conduct of Census 2027. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike censuses conducted after independence, which enumerated only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Census 2027 will enumerate all castes.
  2. The decision to include caste enumeration was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on 30 April 2025.
  3. The approval of caste enumeration was accorded separately from the Union Cabinet's later approval of the overall scheme for conduct of Census 2027.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. How many questions have been notified for Phase I (Houselisting and Housing Census) of Census 2027?

  • A. 31
  • B. 32
  • C. 33
  • D. 35

Q6. Census 2027 is notable as the first Indian census to do which one of the following?

  • A. Offer an optional digital self-enumeration facility to respondents
  • B. Be conducted in two phases
  • C. Enumerate Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
  • D. Be conducted as a synchronous census

Q7. With reference to the constitutional and legal basis of the Census in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Census is a subject enumerated under Entry 69 of the Union List of the Seventh Schedule. 2. The Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948. 3. The National Population Register is prepared under the Census Act, 1948. 4. The authority to conduct the Census is vested exclusively in the Central Government. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Census is a subject enumerated under Entry 69 of the Union List of the Seventh Schedule.
  2. The Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948.
  3. The National Population Register is prepared under the Census Act, 1948.
  4. The authority to conduct the Census is vested exclusively in the Central Government.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 only

Q8. In the context of Census 2027, the term 'reference date' most precisely denotes which one of the following?

  • A. The fixed point of time (00:00 hrs, 1 March 2027 for most of India) with reference to which the population is counted
  • B. The date on which field operations for houselisting formally commence in a State
  • C. The date on which the Government issued the gazette notification of intent to hold the Census
  • D. The date on which the self-enumeration portal is thrown open to the public

Q9. Both phases of Census 2027 — the Houselisting & Housing Census and the Population Enumeration — are carried out by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, which functions exclusively under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • C. Ministry of Rural Development
  • D. Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Q10. The National Population Register (NPR), which is updated alongside the houselisting phase of the Census, is best identified as a register of which one of the following categories of persons?

  • A. All usual residents of India, including citizens and non-citizens
  • B. Only Indian citizens residing within India
  • C. A register that always excludes every foreign national
  • D. A register maintained solely under the Census Act, 1948