Census 2026-27: From roof material to mobile number, 33 questions officials will ask

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a fresh notification detailing the questions that will be asked during the house listing and housing census ahead of the Census of India 2027.

In a notification issued under Section 8(1) of the Census Act, 1948, the Centre has superseded an earlier January 2020 order and authorised Census Officers to collect a detailed set of household-level data within their respective jurisdictions.

As per the notification, Census officials will gather information on 33 parameters, covering the physical condition of houses, access to basic amenities, ownership status, and availability of assets and digital connectivity.

Here is the list of the 33 questions:

1. Building number (Municipal or local authority or census number).

2. Census house number.

3. Predominant material of floor of the census house.

4. Predominant material of wall of the census house.

5. Predominant material of roof of the census house.

6. Ascertain use of census house.

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. Whether the head of the household belongs to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Other.

13. Ownership status of the census house.

14. Number of dwelling rooms exclusively in possession of the household,

15. Number of married couple(s) living in the household.

16. Main source of drinking water.

17. Availability of drinking water source.

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. Radio/Transistor.

26. Television.

27. Access to internet.

28. Laptop/Computer.

29. Telephone/Mobile Phone/Smartphone.

30. Bicycle/Scooter/Motorcycle/Moped.

31. Car/Jeep/Van.

32. Main Cereal consumed in the household.

33. Mobile Number (for census related communications only).