India is Holding a Giant Census in 2026-2027

India is holding a large census that asks all kinds of questions, and here’s why: to clear outdated data and to collect demographic data that dictate public policies.

A census asks questions to collect data for the government. A census could have any question, from how many people your household has, if you have internet access, or what your favorite color is, to what color your roof is.

reducing the impact of outliers since there is more input, and focuses on the general trend (line or pattern) of the data. It can also help plan economic things like taxes and funding.

Compared to the previous census in 2011, this one uses a digital app instead of traditional methods such as going from door to door and collecting data on paper. This census is to make up for the census delayed by the covid pandemic, and now it is here. India is using this census to clear and update outdated data, like the previous population.

The government will use this data to decide where money is spent for upgrades and the distribution of taxes.

BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/ce8p7zjk28eo

New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/world/asia/india-census-population.html