The government has allocated Rs 6,000 crore for Census, Survey and Statistics/Registrar General of India in the Union Budget 2026. This is nearly six times the initial amount of Rs 1,040 crore, allocated in the earlier revised estimates for 2025-26. The 16th Census, which has been long delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to begin on April 1. 

“The budgetary allocation will be spent on the various programs of the Registrar General of India, including the National Population Register (NPR) and Census 2027,” the budget document said.

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Where Will The Money Be Spent?

The budgetary allocation for the Census will be spent in the following areas:

  • Digital Infrastructure: A major chunk of the budget will be directed towards developing special mobile apps for data collection by field workers. 

  • Field Operations: A part of the allocated fund will be used for administrative expenses and logistics for approximately 30 lakh field functionaries.

  • Employment And Manpower: Funds are allocated to engage roughly 18,600 technical personnel for approximately 550 days at the local levels.

  • Caste Enumeration: For the first time since 1947, the census will include a caste-based headcount for which the budget has made specific provisions.

  • Digital Portal: Budgetary allocations will also be used to develop a digital portal, Census as a service (CaaS), to deliver reliable digital data as opposed to paper records used earlier.

  • Public Awareness Campaigns: A part of the allocation will be used for a nationwide publicity campaign to encourage a more inclusive participation. 

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When Will The Census Take Place?

The Census 2027 will take place in two phases, beginning in April 2026:

  • Phase 1 (April-September 2026): Focus on Houselisting and Housing Census, mapping buildings, and assessing amenities like water, electricity, and assets.

  • Phase 2 (February 2027): Population Enumeration across most of the country (for areas which experience harsh winters like Ladakh, this exercise will be done in October 2026).


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