Census 2027 to Maintain 2011 Urban Area Definition

Quick Summary

• Census 2027 Details: The upcoming Census will retain the urban area definition from Census 2011 for comparative analysis of urbanization trends.
• Urban Area Definition (Census 2011): Includes statutory towns and villages with a population of 5,000+, population density of at least 400 per sq. km., and over 75% male workforce in non-agricultural jobs.
• Population Breakdown (2011 Census): Rural population constituted ~68.8%, while urban areas comprised ~31.2%. India had 6,40,867 villages and 15,870 towns/cities in 2011.
• Rural-Urban Demarcation: Updated lists to reflect jurisdictional changes until December 31, 2025; boundaries are frozen by January 1, 2026 for administrative consistency during the census process starting April that year.
• Special Guidelines: Criteria for ‘census towns’ clarified-individual villages must meet demographic standards rather than grouped classifications used previously.
• timeline & Phases: Houselisting Phase begins April 2026; Population Enumeration follows in february 2027. Caste enumeration is also included in this census exercise following Union Cabinet approval on April.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The decision to use consistent definitions of urban areas from Census operations conducted in earlier years presents an prospect for a clear comparison between past and current trends affecting India’s rural-to-urban transition-a critical metric given increasing urbanization pressures across the nation.

By freezing jurisdictional boundaries ahead of routine census groundwork like houselisting activities planned Spring procedural follow-up track implementing-themed-eventual branchdraft conclusionared