Household UPSC relevant
In the Census of India, a household is 'a group of persons who normally live together and take their meals from a common kitchen, unless the exigencies of work prevent any of them from doing so.' Members may be related, unrelated, or a mix — the test is co-residence and a common kitchen, not blood or marriage.
A single person living alone is also a household. The census distinguishes three types: normal households, institutional households, and houseless households. The household is the unit at which houselisting data (amenities, assets, ownership) are collected in 2026, and it is the entry point for Population Enumeration in 2027, where each member is then enumerated individually. In self-enumeration, the head of household or any responsible adult member fills the details for all normally residing members.