Population & Associated Issues (Indian Society).
Syllabus: UPSC Mains GS1: Indian society, diversity, women, population, urbanisation, globalisation, communalism, regionalism, secularism
The first phase of Census 2027, Houselisting and Housing Census, is complete in 31 States and UTs, MHA told Rajya Sabha on 12 August 2026. Population Enumeration in Ladakh and snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand runs from 1 to 30 September 2026, with online self-enumeration from 17 to 31 August.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Census phases.
12 Aug 2026
Phase-I Houselisting and Housing Census under Census 2027 is complete in 23 States and UTs, MHA said on 16 June 2026. Himachal Pradesh began house-to-house visits (till 15 July). Kerala and Nagaland opened self-enumeration till 30 June. Field work is on in Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry and Uttar Pradesh.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Census phases, self-enumeration.
16 Jun 2026
The Centre formed a High-Level Committee to study demographic changes from illegal immigration and other abnormal reasons and to suggest measures. Announced on 15 August 2025 and Cabinet-approved on 11 September 2025, it is chaired by Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar (Retd). It must report within one year, extendable by up to six months.
UPSC angle: Mains: illegal migration and border management.
26 May 2026
Field operations for the Houselisting and Housing Census under Phase I of Census 2027 began in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and the MCD area of Delhi. Self-Enumeration opened in Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh and Puducherry till 31 May 2026. More than 1.44 crore households across 25 States/UTs have completed Self-Enumeration on se.census.gov.in. Uttar Pradesh Self-Enumeration continues till 21 May 2026.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Census 2027 innovations.
17 May 2026
Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO), Phase 1 of Census 2027, began on 1 May 2026 in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh after a 15-day self-enumeration window. About 82 lakh households have already self-enumerated online. HLO uses 33 notified questions on housing, amenities and assets.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Census Act.
1 May 2026
MoSPI released the 27th edition of "Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data" at Bhubaneswar on 29 April 2026. It shows the sex ratio at birth rose from 904 (2017-19) to 917 (2021-23). Rural female LFPR rose from 37.5% to 45.9% during 2022 to 2025, and schools have reached gender parity.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SRB trends.
29 Apr 2026