Census of India 2027: Complete Guide to Phase-I Houselisting & Housing Census Questionnaire
Census of India 2027: What the Phase-I Houselisting & Housing Census Tells Us About How India Lives
India has officially taken the first step toward Census 2027 with the release of the Phase-I Houselisting & Housing Census questionnaire. While this phase may not focus on individuals yet, it plays a critical role in shaping how policies are designed, funds are allocated, and development priorities are set across the country.
At its core, this exercise is about understanding how people live—the condition of their homes, access to basic services, digital connectivity, and everyday amenities. The questionnaire consists of 33 carefully framed questions, each aimed at building a realistic picture of housing and household conditions in India today.
What Is Phase-I of Census 2027 All About?
The Houselisting & Housing Census is conducted ahead of population enumeration. Instead of personal demographic details, it focuses on the physical and functional aspects of households.
This includes:
- The quality and condition of housing structures
- Household size and composition
- Access to water, sanitation, electricity, and cooking fuel
- Ownership of basic assets and vehicles
- Internet and digital access
Together, these indicators help policymakers understand where progress has been made—and where attention is still urgently needed.
Census of India 2027 Phase-I Questionnaire: Complete List of Questions
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For clarity and easy reference, the official questions are presented below:
| Q. No. | Question |
| 1 | Building number (Municipal / Local authority / Census number) |
| 2 | Census house number |
| 3 | Predominant material of floor |
| 4 | Predominant material of wall |
| 5 | Predominant material of roof |
| 6 | Use of census house (residential / non-residential / mixed) |
| 7 | Condition of the census house |
| 8 | Household number |
| 9 | Total number of persons normally residing in the household |
| 10 | Name of the head of the household |
| 11 | Sex of the head of the household |
| 12 | Social category of the head (SC / ST / Other) |
| 13 | Ownership status of the house |
| 14 | Number of dwelling rooms exclusively in use |
| 15 | Number of married couples living in the household |
| 16 | Main source of drinking water |
| 17 | Availability of drinking water |
| 18 | Main source of lighting |
| 19 | Access to latrine |
| 20 | Type of latrine |
| 21 | Waste water outlet |
| 22 | Availability of bathing facility |
| 23 | Availability of kitchen and LPG/PNG connection |
| 24 | Main fuel used for cooking |
| 25 | Availability of radio / transistor |
| 26 | Availability of television |
| 27 | Access to internet |
| 28 | Availability of laptop / computer |
| 29 | Availability of telephone / mobile / smartphone |
| 30 | Availability of bicycle / scooter / motorcycle / moped |
| 31 | Availability of car / jeep / van |
| 32 | Main cereal consumed by the household |
| 33 | Mobile number (for census-related communication only) |
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Why These Questions Matter
Housing and Infrastructure Planning
Details about building materials and housing conditions help identify areas vulnerable to natural disasters and guide future housing and urban development programs.
Water, Sanitation, and Energy Access
Information on drinking water, toilets, bathing facilities, and cooking fuel feeds directly into national initiatives such as Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, and clean energy programs.
Understanding Digital Reach
Questions on internet access, smartphones, and computers offer a grounded assessment of India’s digital landscape—essential for expanding e-governance and online public services.
Smarter Welfare Delivery
Asset ownership data supports better targeting of welfare schemes and infrastructure investments, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.
Data Privacy and Trust
The government has clarified that information collected during the census is protected by law. Personal details—such as mobile numbers—are meant only for census-related communication and are never published individually. All results are released in aggregated form, maintaining confidentiality and public trust.
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What Comes Next
Phase-I sets the groundwork. The Phase-II Population Enumeration, to be conducted later, will gather detailed information on individuals, including age, education, occupation, and other socio-economic indicators. Together, both phases will form the most comprehensive snapshot of India’s population and living conditions.
A Step Toward Better Governance
The Phase-I questionnaire of Census 2027 reflects a practical and forward-looking approach to governance. By documenting housing quality, basic amenities, and digital access, it helps policymakers move beyond assumptions and work with real, on-ground data.
For citizens, participating honestly in this exercise is more than a formality—it is a way of contributing to better planning, fairer policies, and a more inclusive future.
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Notification of questionnaire of Phase I of Census of India 2027 – Houselisting & Housing Census has been issued. The questionnaire for Phase II i.e. Population Enumeration will be notified in due course.
Census of India 2027: Complete Guide to Phase-I Houselisting & Housing Census Questionnaire
Census of India 2027: Phase-I Houselisting & Housing Census — FAQs
- What exactly is the Houselisting & Housing Census?
It’s the opening phase of Census 2027 and focuses on households rather than individuals. The goal is to understand housing conditions, basic amenities, and access to services across the country before the actual population count begins.
- Why does the census start with this phase?
This phase helps create a complete and accurate map of households in India. It allows census officials to plan fieldwork properly and ensures that every household is covered when population data is collected later.
- How detailed is the Phase-I questionnaire?
The questionnaire includes 33 questions. These cover housing materials, number of residents, access to water and sanitation, cooking fuel, electricity, digital connectivity, and ownership of basic assets.
- Does Phase-I collect sensitive personal information?
No. This phase does not ask for Aadhaar details, income, bank accounts, or financial data. The focus is strictly on housing and household-level information.
- Why are questions about internet access and smartphones included?
Access to digital services has become essential. These questions help assess how connected different parts of the country are and where investments are needed to improve digital inclusion and public service delivery.
- Is it compulsory to share a mobile number?
A mobile number may be requested solely for census-related communication. It is not used for any other purpose and is protected under existing census confidentiality provisions.
- How is the information collected during the census kept safe?
Census data is protected by law. Individual responses are never made public. Only aggregated data is released, ensuring privacy and preventing misuse.
- How does this census data benefit citizens directly?
The findings guide decisions on housing, sanitation, drinking water, energy access, digital infrastructure, and welfare programs. In simple terms, it helps policies reach the people who need them most.
- Are caste or religion details collected in Phase-I?
Phase-I only records the social category of the head of the household (SC, ST, or Other). More detailed demographic questions, if any, fall under Phase-II of the census.
- What comes after the Houselisting & Housing Census?
Once Phase-I is complete, the census moves to Phase-II: Population Enumeration, which gathers individual-level information such as age, education, occupation, and other demographic details.