Punjab — Census 2027

Punjab is taking part in Census 2027 — India's 16th census and its first fully digital one — like every state in the country, across two phases: the Houselisting & Housing Census (Phase 1, April–September 2026) and Population Enumeration (Phase 2).

Houselisting in Punjab

In Punjab, its 30-day houselisting window ran 2026-05-15 to 2026-06-13, preceded by an online self-enumeration window from 2026-04-30 to 2026-05-14 on se.census.gov.in. During houselisting, enumerators visited every building to record 33 notified questions on housing conditions, household amenities and assets — from drinking-water source and toilet access to internet connectivity and vehicle ownership. Households that completed self-enumeration online received a Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) to share with the visiting enumerator instead of answering questions again.

What happens next in Punjab

Population Enumeration (Phase 2) is scheduled for February 2027, when enumerators will record 40 notified questions for every person — demographics, religion, language, education, work, migration and, for the first time since 1931, caste enumeration. The reference date is 00:00 hrs on March 1, 2027: Punjab's official 2027 population will describe the state exactly at that moment.

Punjab in numbers

At the 2011 census Punjab recorded a population of 27,743,338. The state currently has 23 districts, with Chandigarh as its capital. Official 2027 figures will be published by the Registrar General after enumeration — this page will link them the day they release, and until then we never publish projections.