2027 Census questionnaire raises data collection concerns in India

The Census questionnaire for the population enumeration phase of 2027 comprises 40 questions that seek to collect extensive personal information beyond traditional demographic data. The proposed questions request details on nationality, number of bank accounts held, mobile phone ownership, and the availability of Aadhaar and voter identification numbers.

Civil society observers and data protection advocates have expressed concerns that the expanded scope of questions represents a significant departure from the census's historical purpose of gathering information for evidence-based policy formulation and urban planning. Critics argue that collecting financial and identity-linked data blurs the traditional boundaries between census operations and other government data collection mechanisms.

The inclusion of queries related to bank accounts and mobile phone ownership has drawn particular scrutiny, with stakeholders questioning the relevance of such information to core census objectives. Privacy advocates have flagged potential risks associated with centralizing such sensitive personal identifiers within a single enumeration exercise.

The 2027 Census represents a critical data collection exercise for India, typically conducted once every decade to provide comprehensive demographic insights. The current questionnaire design signals a notable expansion in the types of information the government seeks to gather from citizens during the enumeration process, marking a departure from previous census methodologies.