New Delhi, July 29: The Central Government has not taken any decision to update the National Population Register (NPR), Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday in response to a written question.
Clarifying the government’s current position, Rai stated that while the intent to conduct the national Census has been officially notified, there has been no approval or notification regarding an NPR update, which some had speculated might precede or coincide with the Census.
“The intent to conduct the Census has been notified in the Gazette on June 16, 2025,” the Minister said. “No decision has been taken to update the National Population Register. The period of conducting the houselisting and housing census will be notified in due course.”
Rai further explained that the Census will be conducted in two phases:
- Phase One: Houselisting and Housing Census, where information on housing conditions, household assets, and basic amenities will be collected.
- Phase Two: Population Enumeration, during which detailed data on the demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and other aspects of every individual will be gathered.
Significantly, the upcoming enumeration will include caste data, which is expected to play a major role in shaping future policies and welfare schemes.
The estimated financial outlay for the exercise is still being finalised, Rai added.
The clarification comes amid concerns and political debate around a possible NPR update, which has drawn criticism in the past over fears it could be linked to the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The last Census was due in 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With this notification, the government has officially moved a step forward toward conducting Census 2027, though exact dates are yet to be announced.
