Census 2027: 40 Questions That Could Capture a New Picture of India

India’s upcoming Census 2027 is set to gather a wide range of information about individuals and households. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the exercise will include 40 questions, covering everything from basic demographic details and education to employment, migration, banking and identity documents.

The questions indicate how India’s population data collection is evolving—from traditional demographic information to aspects of digital access, financial inclusion and identity documentation.

“According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)” source link: Ministry of Home Affairs – Government of India

The 40 questions include:

1. Name of the person
2. Relationship to the head of household
3. Sex
4. Date of birth and age
5. Current marital status
6. Age at marriage
7. Spouse’s name
8. Nationality as declared
9. Religion
10. SC/ST/Caste
11. Father’s particulars
12. Mother’s particulars
13. Disability
14. Mother tongue and other known languages
15. Literacy and digital literacy status
16. Attendance in an educational institution
17. Highest educational level and stream/discipline
18. Whether the person worked at any time during the last year
19. Category of economic activity
20. Occupation
21. Nature of industry, trade or service
22. Class of worker
23. Non-economic activity, for marginal, semi-marginal and non-workers
24. Whether seeking or available for work
25. Travel to place of work
26. Place of birth
27. Place of last residence
28. Reason for migration
29. Duration of stay in the present village/town since last migration
30. Permanent residential address
31. Number of surviving children, for specified currently married, widowed, divorced and separated women
32. Number of children ever born alive, for specified currently married, widowed, divorced and separated women
33. Number of children born alive during the last year, for currently married women
34. Place of COVID-19 vaccination
35. Total number of bank accounts
36. Mobile number, if available
37. Aadhaar number, if available
38. Voter ID number, if available
39. Passport number, if an Indian passport holder
40. Availability of a driving licence

From population counting to a digital-era census

The proposed questionnaire reflects a much broader understanding of population data.

Earlier censuses primarily focused on demography, literacy, occupation, migration, housing and social characteristics. The 2027 exercise, as described by the MHA, goes further by seeking information related to digital literacy, bank accounts, mobile connectivity and identity documents.

The inclusion of Aadhaar, voter ID, passport and driving licence information is particularly notable. At the same time, the wording “if available” is important—it indicates that these documents are being recorded as information about availability rather than making possession a prerequisite for being counted.

Why Census 2027 matters

A census is more than a headcount. Its data can influence how governments understand population distribution, migration patterns, employment, education, social composition, infrastructure requirements and public-service needs.

For a country as large and diverse as India, accurate population data can play an important role in planning everything from schools and hospitals to transport, housing and employment programmes.

One census. Forty questions. A vast amount of information about how India lives, works, moves and connects.

Source: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The questionnaire/details should be read as subject to the official Census 2027 notification and final government instructions.