Uttar Pradesh Notifies Pre-Test for First Phase of Census of India, 2027

The Government of Uttar Pradesh recently issued a notification, No. G. I. 60/III-25-12(12)-2018, dated November 7, 2025, to inform the general public about the conduct of a pre-test for the first phase of the Census of India, 2027. This notification, published in the Uttar Pradesh Government Gazette, republished an earlier notification from the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (Office of the Registrar General, India), which was originally published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on October 16, 2025, under number S.O. 4698(E). The issuance of this notification by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh was done in exercise of powers conferred under clause (i) of rule 8 of the Census Rules, 1990, which were framed by the Central Government under the Census Act, 1948 (Act no. 37 of 1948). The core purpose of this legislative action is to facilitate the preparatory activities for the upcoming decennial census. The pre-test, specifically for the Houselisting and Housing Census, is slated to occur in selected sample areas across all States and Union Territories from November 10, 2025, to November 30, 2025. A significant provision introduced for this pre-test is the option for self-enumeration, which will be available from November 1, 2025, to November 7, 2025. This notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on November 7, 2025.

The legislative intent behind extending the provisions of the Census Act, 1948, for a pre-test is to ensure the smooth and efficient conduct of the full Census of India, 2027. The earlier legal position established by the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990, provides the framework for conducting the decennial census. However, to address the practical challenges and refine methodologies before the main enumeration, a pre-test is deemed essential. This process allows for the identification of any statutory gaps or operational limitations in the proposed census procedures, particularly concerning the Houselisting and Housing Census, which forms the foundational first phase. The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 17A of the Census Act, 1948 (37 of 1948), read with rule 6D of the Census Rules, 1990, the Central Government hereby extends the provisions of the said Act, for conduct of pre-test of first phase of Census of India, 2027.” This extension ensures that all activities related to the pre-test, such as data collection and enumeration, are carried out with the full legal backing of the Census Act, thereby imposing statutory obligations on individuals and authorities to cooperate. The introduction of a self-enumeration option represents an amendment to traditional census methods, aiming to leverage technology and improve data collection efficiency and accuracy. This mechanism allows households to provide their information digitally, potentially reducing the burden on enumerators and enhancing public participation. The specified timelines for the pre-test and self-enumeration establish clear enforcement mechanisms for the preparatory phase of the census.

Keywords: Census of India, 2027, Pre-test, Houselisting, Housing Census, Self-enumeration, Uttar Pradesh, Notification, Census Act 1948, Census Rules 1990, Registrar General India

Geo Tags: India, Uttar Pradesh District: Not Applicable