8th Economic Census (EC) in 2027:
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.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.
