Concerns about census questions

Census Commissioners at a house in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. | Photo credit: C. Venkatachalapathy

The questions to be asked of each individual during the population enumeration phase of the 2027 census were announced by the central government last month. In a significant departure from the past, a range of personal data is sought from which no useful statistics can be generated. This encourages a look at individual questions, their possible use and the consequences of their inclusion in the census.

The new questions in the 2027 Census ask respondents to provide details of each individual’s parents and spouses of married persons in the household, declared nationality, residential address, place of vaccination against COVID 19, total number of bank accounts, mobile phone number, Aadhaar number and Voter ID number (if available), passport number (if Indian passport holder) and availability of driving license.

Published – 9 Sep 2026 07:00 IST