Census Schedule Changed In Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand And Goa Ahead Of 2027 Assembly Polls

New Delhi/Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The population enumeration phase of Census 2027 will be held earlier in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa, with the exercise in the four poll-bound states scheduled to begin in December 2026.

As per the revised schedule, population enumeration in these states will be conducted between December 1, 2026 and January 4, 2027.

The exercise in the rest of the country is slated for February 2027, in accordance with the Census schedule announced by the Registrar General of India.

Why Will Census Be Held Early In Punjab And Three Other States?

The four states covered by the revised timeline — Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa — are due to hold Assembly elections in 2027.

Conducting population enumeration earlier would allow the exercise to be completed in these states before the election process gathers momentum.

The revised Census timeline has consequently drawn attention in Punjab, where speculation over the timing of the next Assembly election has already become part of the political conversation.

Does This Mean Punjab Elections Will Be Held On Time?

The development suggests that the Census exercise is being scheduled in a way that avoids an overlap with the expected Assembly election cycle.

It does not, however, amount to an announcement of Punjab’s election dates. The schedule for the Assembly elections will be decided and formally announced by the Election Commission of India.

Punjab’s current Assembly was elected in 2022, putting the state in its regular election cycle in 2027.

Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa are also due for Assembly elections next year, making the altered Census timeline significant for all four states.

Rest Of India To Follow February 2027 Schedule

While enumeration will begin earlier in the four poll-bound states, there is no corresponding change mentioned for the rest of India.

Population enumeration elsewhere in the country will continue according to the February 2027 schedule.

The December-January window will therefore allow authorities to complete this phase of Census 2027 in the four states before their respective Assembly elections enter the crucial campaigning and polling period.