The Manipur High Court has ordered that the Census 2027 exercise in the state stay suspended until April 30, 2027.
The order was passed on November 4, 2026.
The census is the official count of people in India. It also records details about households.
In Manipur, the exercise has been paused because of concerns linked to the displacement of residents after ethnic violence.
Key points
- The census in Manipur stays on hold until April 30, 2027.
- The Census Commissioner must examine seven representations and give a reasoned order.
- Others can submit more representations until November 25, 2026.
- The case was brought by the Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) and International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA).
Why were the petitioners worried?
The petitioners said the census could be unfair if it is held now.
They raised questions about how accurate population records are.
They also asked how internally displaced persons would be identified.
Internally displaced persons are people who have left their homes but still live within the same country.
The petitioners argued that these issues should be addressed before the count goes ahead.
How did the census get paused?
The Manipur Legislative Assembly passed resolutions in 2022 and 2024.
They sought a National Register of Citizens, which is a list of citizens.
On August 31, the Central government told the High Court that it had decided to defer house-listing work in Manipur.
The state government also agreed not to start the exercise planned for September 1, 2026.
Later notifications on September 5 and October 30 confirmed the postponement.
- August 31Centre told the High Court it had decided to defer house-listing work in Manipur.
- September 1, 2026Planned start of the exercise was not to go ahead, as the state government agreed.
- September 5Later notification confirmed the postponement.
- October 30Another notification confirmed the postponement.
- November 4, 2026High Court ordered the Census 2027 exercise suspended until April 30, 2027.
- April 30, 2027Census Commissioner must pass one common reasoned order on the seven representations.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
So what happens next?
The Census Commissioner must examine the seven representations on their merits.
He must then pass one common reasoned order by April 30, 2027.
The census will remain suspended for four weeks after that decision.
This gives affected parties time to challenge it in court.
Authorities may also hold public consultations. The court said any decision against holding them must be explained.
Explainer
What happened before
- On August 5, 2022 and March 1, 2024, the Manipur Legislative Assembly unanimously passed resolutions seeking a National Register of Citizens.
- On August 31, 2026, the Centre told the High Court it had decided to defer house-listing for Census 2027 in Manipur.
- The census exercise scheduled for September 1, 2026 did not begin, and later notifications on September 5 and October 30 confirmed the postponement.
Why it matters
The census counts people and records their details, so its accuracy affects planning and services for residents. Petitioners say displaced people and population records must be sorted out first.
What to watch next
- Census authorities must consider the seven representations and pass a reasoned order by April 30, 2027.
- Any aggrieved party can challenge the decision, and the census stays suspended for four weeks after that decision.
