WORLD POPULATION DAY 2025 THE NEXT BIG STEP FOR INDIA: CENSUS 2027

World Population Day 2025 marks a pivotal moment for India as preparations for Census 2027 begin. With a focus on digital transformation and comprehensive caste enumeration, this upcoming census promises to be the most ambitious and inclusive yet—redefining how India collects, understands, and uses population data for future planning.

- TDG NETWORK

INTRODUCTION

World Population Day is celebrated every year on July 11. The theme for this year is "Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world." In India, the young population is set to form tomorrow's workforce, with 65% of people under the age of 35. On June 16, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs officially issued the notification for Census 2027. The Indian Census is the largest single source of various statistical information on various characteristics of the people of India. With a history of more than 150 years, this reliable, time-tested exercise is bringing in a real insight into population data every 10 years.

Beginning in the year 1872, the first census was conducted at different times in different parts of India. The Indian Census has been a useful source of data for scholars and researchers in demography, economics, anthropology, sociology, statistics and many other disciplines. The rich diversity of India's people is indeed revealed by the decadal census, which has become a tool for understanding and studying India.

ANCIENT FOUNDATIONS AND EARLY MODERN CENSUS

India has a long and rich tradition of conducting censuses. The earliest references of conducting census in the country can be found in Kautilya's 'Arthashastra' (321-296 BC) and later in the writings of Abdul Fazl's in 'Ain-e-Akbari' during the days of Emperor Akbar. The first modern population census in India was conducted between 1865 and 1872, though it didn't happen simultaneously across all regions. India conducted its first coordinated census in 1881.

POST-INDEPENDENCE EVOLUTION (1951-2011)