UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Census 2027: India’s First Digital Enumeration Exercise

Q1. Census 2027, India's first fully digital enumeration, is conducted (operationalised in the field) by which one of the following bodies?

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

Q2. With reference to how Census 2027 differs from earlier Indian censuses, consider the following statements: 1. It is the first Indian census to replace paper schedules with mobile-app-based data collection and a self-enumeration web portal. 2. The self-enumeration portal is available only in Hindi and English, unlike the multilingual paper schedules of earlier censuses. 3. Unlike previous censuses, a self-enumeration window is provided immediately before the door-to-door enumeration. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is the first Indian census to replace paper schedules with mobile-app-based data collection and a self-enumeration web portal.
  2. The self-enumeration portal is available only in Hindi and English, unlike the multilingual paper schedules of earlier censuses.
  3. Unlike previous censuses, a self-enumeration window is provided immediately before the door-to-door enumeration.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to caste enumeration in Census 2027 compared with earlier exercises, consider the following statements: 1. The last comprehensive caste enumeration in India before Census 2027 was conducted in 1931. 2. The caste figures of the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 were officially released to the public. 3. The decision to include caste enumeration in Census 2027 was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The last comprehensive caste enumeration in India before Census 2027 was conducted in 1931.
  2. The caste figures of the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 were officially released to the public.
  3. The decision to include caste enumeration in Census 2027 was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. In discussions on Census 2027's caste enumeration, the 'SECC 2011' is frequently cited. It stands for which one of the following?

  • A. Socio-Economic and Caste Census, 2011
  • B. Scheduled and Enumerated Caste Count, 2011
  • C. State Economic and Community Census, 2011
  • D. Socio-Economic Class Certification, 2011

Q5. With reference to the statutory and institutional framework governing Census 2027, consider the following statements: 1. It is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, administered by the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India. 2. 'Census' is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. 3. Information given by respondents is confidential and not admissible as evidence in any legal proceeding. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, administered by the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India.
  2. 'Census' is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution.
  3. Information given by respondents is confidential and not admissible as evidence in any legal proceeding.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. With reference to the legal and institutional framework of Census 2027, consider the following statements: 1. It is governed by the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990. 2. The Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 3. Census data centres have been notified as Critical Information Infrastructure under Section 70 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. 4. Information furnished by respondents under the Census Act is admissible as evidence in a court of law. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is governed by the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990.
  2. The Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  3. Census data centres have been notified as Critical Information Infrastructure under Section 70 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
  4. Information furnished by respondents under the Census Act is admissible as evidence in a court of law.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q7. Which one of the following was the first field phase of Census 2027 to commence, beginning from 1 April 2026?

  • A. Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO)
  • B. Population Enumeration (PE)
  • C. Caste enumeration
  • D. Updation of the National Population Register

Q8. The Government's intent to conduct Census 2027 was notified through a Gazette Notification dated 16 June 2025 by which one of the following?

  • A. The Central Government (Ministry of Home Affairs)
  • B. The Election Commission of India
  • C. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • D. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India

Q9. In the context of the history of the Indian census, the term 'synchronous census' (first achieved in India in 1881) is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A census in which the whole country's population is enumerated with reference to a single fixed reference moment
  • B. A census that is always conducted only in urban areas at fixed intervals
  • C. A census in which every province independently chooses its own enumeration date
  • D. A census conducted exclusively through digital, real-time data collection

Q10. The first synchronous census in India was conducted in which one of the following years?

  • A. 1872
  • B. 1881
  • C. 1891
  • D. 1901

Q11. With reference to the administrative details of Census 2027, consider the following pairings: 1. Approved financial outlay — ₹11,718.24 crore 2. Phase I — Houselisting and Housing Census 3. Phase II — Population Enumeration 4. Nodal ministry — Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Approved financial outlay — ₹11,718.24 crore
  2. Phase I — Houselisting and Housing Census
  3. Phase II — Population Enumeration
  4. Nodal ministry — Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q12. With reference to the branding and public outreach of Census 2027, consider the following statements: 1. Its two mascots are 'Pragati' (female) and 'Vikas' (male). 2. The mascots and digital tools were soft-launched by the Union Home Minister. 3. 'Pragati' and 'Vikas' are the only mascots ever used in Indian census history, every previous census having used the same pair. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Its two mascots are 'Pragati' (female) and 'Vikas' (male).
  2. The mascots and digital tools were soft-launched by the Union Home Minister.
  3. 'Pragati' and 'Vikas' are the only mascots ever used in Indian census history, every previous census having used the same pair.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3