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India Begins World's Largest Population Census

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands next to an awareness board for the Census 2027 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 02, 2026. India has begun counting its population in the world's largest census, which will include caste enumeration for the first time in nearly a century. This year's census is a $1.24 billion exercise during which more than three million Indian officials will spend a year surveying about 1.4 billion Indians about their household composition, living conditions, and access to basic amenities. The previous census in 2011 recorded a population of 1.21 billion. It is now estimated to be more than 1.4 billion, making India the most populous nation. (Photo by Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#13528372
Date Taken	2 April 2026
Location	N/A
Photographer	Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto

One Person Full Length Full Body Indian paramilitary soldier awareness board Census 2027 Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar April 2026 India population count world's largest census caste enumeration century $1.24bn exercise Indian officials survey household composition living conditions basic amenities 2011 census 1.21 billion 1.4 billion most populous nation Firdous Nazir NurPhoto paramilitary guard census awareness population survey demographic data population growth census budget census officials census process census methodology population statistics.