Census 2027: Maharashtra Ramps Up Preparations, Training Begins

Preparations for Census 2027 have gathered pace across Maharashtra following a government resolution issued by the General Administration Department on December 23, 2025. This will be the 16th census of India and the 8th since independence, continuing a process that began in 1872.

The census is the country’s largest source of primary data at the village, city, and ward levels, and plays a crucial role in planning and policy-making. The Government of India will conduct the 2027 census digitally, marking a major step towards modernisation. The reference date for the exercise has been fixed as April 1, 2027.

The state government has appointed key officials, including Principal Census Officers, City Census Officers and Charge Census Officers. The fieldwork will be carried out by enumerators and supervisors working under the supervision of officers in charge. A structured training mechanism has also been put in place.

National-level trainers have already trained Master Trainers, who will now train Field Trainers. These Field Trainers will be responsible for training and supervision to ensure the exercise is executed smoothly.

According to officials, training sessions for Field Trainers will be conducted between April 6 and April 11, 2026. Authorities have emphasised that training at all levels will be conducted comprehensively to ensure accurate and efficient data collection.

Historically, caste-wise census data was last fully published in 1931, while such data was not released in 1941. The upcoming census is expected to be a key exercise in strengthening data-driven governance across the country.