Census data to be ready within nine months? Govt bets on tech to speed up 2027 exercise
The upcoming
Census 2027
could deliver its final population figures by the end of the same year, a significant improvement over previous exercises, thanks to a
digital-first approach
that will use mobile apps for data collection and intelligent systems for real-time processing.
Sources in the government said the time taken to publish detailed population data — including gender-wise breakups at national, state, district and taluk levels — may be compressed to just nine months from the date of enumeration. In the 2011 Census, this process had stretched over nearly two years, according to a ToI report.
The government has set March 1, 2027, as the reference date for the next Census. Originally scheduled for 2020, the decadal count was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Mobile apps in 16 languages to power enumeration
The 2027 Census will be conducted in two parts — a house-listing phase in 2026, followed by population enumeration in February 2027. For the first time, enumerators will be equipped with a mobile application to capture data digitally, replacing the bulky paper forms of the past.
Available in 16 languages, including Hindi, English and 14 regional options, the app is designed to be simple to use for both officials and the public. Citizens will also have the option of
self-enumeration
, the sources said.
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The app-based format will offer dropdown menus, auto-fetching of house records, and the ability to edit entries on the spot — all of which are expected to speed up data collection and reduce manual errors.
Data processing to be near-instantaneous
With most of the responses pre-coded and digitised, the need for manual compilation of summaries or abstracts will be eliminated. The mobile application will feed directly into back-end systems using Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) tools, which will help process even semi-structured information swiftly.
For questions requiring descriptive or non-numeric responses, officials have prepared a code directory to guide enumerators in selecting standardised entries, further cutting down processing time.
To support the massive digital operation, the
Office of the Registrar General of India
has also built a
Census Management and Monitoring System
(CMMS) portal, which will help track and coordinate progress across all stages.
If the process unfolds as planned, this will be the fastest turnaround yet for a Census in India — and the most technologically advanced.
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Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
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Mint
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China's rare earth crackdown: Time to rethink these Indian EV stock holdings?
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Read this | India's EV dreams are caught between rare earth and a hard place This article looks at three Indian EV players now exposed to the rare earth squeeze—and what the evolving crisis could mean for their near-term performance. #1 Maruti Suzuki First up is Maruti Suzuki, India's largest passenger vehicle maker by production and sales, and a subsidiary of Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. Its lineup spans hatchbacks, compact SUVs, and premium sedans. Maruti has reportedly slashed its near-term production target for the electric SUV e-Vitara by nearly two-thirds due to a shortage of rare earth materials. The company now plans to produce just 8,221 units between April and September, down from 26,512. A company document cited supply constraints in rare earth elements as the main reason. Unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the e-Vitara was intended to be a marquee launch, with FY26 sales targeted at 70,000 units. Parent Suzuki has also scaled back its India ambitions. 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But in the short term, the rare earth supply crunch is a real and rising risk. Production timelines, margin structures, and investor sentiment may all be affected. China's new export rules demand end-use declarations, approvals from Indian ministries and the Chinese embassy, and final clearance from Beijing. Despite 30+ pending applications from Indian automakers, none have been cleared. Delays now exceed the promised 40–45 days, and a proposed dialogue between Indian auto bodies and Chinese officials remains stuck in red tape. For more such analyses, read Profit Pulse. Until there is more clarity on approvals and alternative sourcing, investors may want to tread carefully—and track closely how these companies adapt to a fast-moving supply chain challenge. About the author: Ayesha Shetty is a research analyst registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. She is a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and is working toward the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Disclosure: The author does not hold shares in any of the companies discussed. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a financial professional before making investment decisions.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
'We are at critical juncture to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons': Israel Defence Minister
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Friday addressed senior military officials ahead of Israel's strikes on Iran, highlighting the Israel Defence Forces' (IDF) advanced operational and intelligence capabilities and reiterating Iran's nuclear ambitions as a top threat. "Upon taking office, I defined the thwarting of Iran's nuclear ambitions as a top priority," Katz said, adding, "Iran is more determined than ever to realise its vision of destroying Israel. We are at a critical juncture; if we miss it, we will have no way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons that threaten our existence." Referring to the latest escalation, he said, "We have dealt with Iran's proxies over the past year and a half, but now we are dealing with the head of the snake itself." Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Cost of Dental Implants in Your City Might Surprise You! Dental implant | Search Ads Learn More Undo Katz noted the IDF's readiness for the operation: "Over the years, and especially in recent months, the IDF has built exceptional capabilities in intelligence and operations, both defensive and offensive, which enable us to effectively confront the major challenges we face." Reflecting this preparedness, the Israeli Defence Force spokesperson said Israel has launched a "precise, preemptive strike" in Iran. Live Events The spokesperson, BG Effie Defrin, said on Friday that the strikes aimed at damaging Iran's nuclear program and in response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel. — IDF (@IDF) "For years, the Iranian regime has called for the destruction of the State of Israel, planning and advancing concrete military plans to do so. Over the past few months, intelligence has shown that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This morning, the IDF began pre-emptive and precise strikes targeting the Iranian nuclear program to prevent the Iranian regime's ability to build a nuclear bomb in the immediate timeframe," he said. He said the airstrikes were aimed at protecting Israel's right to exist and for its future. "We have no choice. We are operating against an imminent and existential threat. We cannot allow the Iranian regime to obtain a nuclear weapon that would be a danger to Israel and the entire world. This operation is for our right to exist here, for our future and for our children's future. The State of Israel has the right and the obligation to operate to protect its people and will continue to do so," he said. Defrin said that Israel is prepared in both- offensive as well as defensive way to defend itself. "The IDF conducted significant preparations for this operation. We are well prepared both in defence and offence to defend ourselves. The IDF will continue to defend the State of Israel," he said. Meanwhile, as per The Times of Israel, blasts were heard in Natanz city in Iran's central province of Isfahan, where a key nuclear site is located, Iranian state TV reported. "Loud explosions were heard in Natanz," which hosts one of the main uranium enrichment facilities, Times of Israel quoted state TV reports. Iran has two underground nuclear sites, at Fordo and Natanz, and has been building tunnels in the mountains near Natanz since suspected Israeli sabotage attacks targeted that facility. A complex at the heart of Iran's enrichment program on a plain abutting mountains outside the Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Qom, south of Tehran. Natanz houses facilities including two enrichment plants: the vast, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP), as per The Times of Israel.
