Story perspectives

India Launches First Digital Census Amid Accuracy Concerns

4/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

India launched its first fully digital census on April 1, 2026 to count over 1.4 billion people with online self-reporting.
More than 3 million enumerators will conduct the census.
The two-phase process starts with housing conditions, and the second phase is planned for early 2027 to collect demographic, socio-economic data, including caste.
Critics warn about data accuracy, political manipulation, and the digital divide affecting rural populations.

1 of 1

Story summary

India launched its first fully digital census on April 1, 2026 to count over 1.4 billion people with online self-reporting.
More than 3 million enumerators will conduct the census.
The two-phase process starts with housing conditions, and the second phase is planned for early 2027 to collect demographic, socio-economic data, including caste.
Critics warn about data accuracy, political manipulation, and the digital divide affecting rural populations.