8th Economic Census (EC) in 2027

• 04 Dec 2025

Source: ET

India will carry out its 8th Economic Census (EC) in 2027, following the two-phase Population Census (2026–27).

• Economic Census (EC): It is the complete count of all establishments (i.e. units engaged in production and/or distribution of goods and services not for the purpose of sole consumption) located within the geographical boundaries of the country.
  • The first EC was held in 1977. EC is conducted nationwide by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOSPI), National Statistics Office in collaboration with the Directorates of Economics and Statistics (DES) of all States and Union Territories.
  • Data from 8th EC will be used to create the Statistical Business Register (SBR), a unified database mapping all enterprises across states.
    • The SBR will help track whether enterprises are active or closed, improving the accuracy of national economic statistics.
• Population Census: The Census is the largest source of primary data at the village, town and ward level, offering detailed information on housing, amenities, demography, religion, SC/ST, language, literacy, education, economic activity, migration, and fertility.

  • It is conducted under the legal framework of the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990.

  • The Census organisation is headed by the Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner of India. 
  • The 2027 Census will be India’s 16th decennial Census since the first nationwide Census in 1872.

Read more: Census in India