The Union government has updated Census Rules 1990 to allow private school teachers, bank staff, and public sector employees to serve as enumerators. Backed by a Rs 11,718 crore budget, this move aims to solve manpower shortages for the 2027 population count. However, ongoing legal challenges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the deployment of private sector staff for government duties remain a key uncertainty for stakeholders.
The Union government has formally expanded the eligibility criteria for census enumerators to address significant manpower requirements for the upcoming 2027 Census. A gazette notification issued by the Registrar General of India now allows state governments and Union territory administrations to engage staff from private unaided and aided schools, as well as personnel from banks and public sector undertakings. This move is designed to ensure the successful execution of the massive nationwide headcount, which comes with a total budget allocation of Rs 11,718 crore.
The administrative decision follows challenges in staffing the exercise, which was originally scheduled for 2021 but faced significant delays due to the pandemic. The government aims to streamline the process, which involves both house-listing and population enumeration. While some regions have already begun initial work, the primary phase is scheduled for early 2027. The logistical complexity of the 2027 Census is further compounded by the need to align the enumeration schedule with India’s political calendar, with special schedules carved out for states like Uttar Pradesh, Goa, and Punjab to avoid overlap with their respective Assembly election cycles.
Despite the expanded pool of enumerators, the policy faces legal uncertainty. The Haryana Progressive Schools Conference has challenged the government’s authority to requisition staff from private unaided institutions, arguing that these organizations do not qualify as local authorities under the Census Act of 1948. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has already stayed specific directives issued by the Haryana government regarding the deployment of these teachers. With the next court hearing scheduled for April 2027, the long-term feasibility of this staffing model for private educational institutions remains a point of contention.
For observers and stakeholders, the next important development will be the outcome of these ongoing legal proceedings, as the court's stance may influence how state governments approach the deployment of private sector staff for future national exercises.