New Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI) The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) on Friday called for an inclusive and accessible enumeration of persons with disabilities in the 2027 Census, and stressed the need for clear information on the counting process, accessible self-enumeration facilities and sensitisation of census officials.
The organisation held a national consultation at Vishwa Yuva Kendra here, bringing together around 1,000 participants, both in person and virtually, including representatives of disability organisations, parent and caregiver groups, researchers and members of the National Disability Network to discuss concerns over the enumeration of persons with disabilities.
“The Census 2027 will be the first decennial census since the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which recognises 21 types of disabilities. The census has been delayed by six years, making it imperative for persons with disabilities to be accurately counted,” the NCPEDP said in a statement.
The organisation said the consultation was convened amid concerns over the lack of publicly available information on the enumeration process, a concern also raised by Ram Goel, the National Disability Network’s state partner based in Uttar Pradesh.
“Persons with disabilities continue to live in uncertainty and fear, worried that they may once again be left out of being counted. Without accurate enumeration, their needs and lived realities risk remaining invisible in government policies and development priorities,” it said.
The NCPEDP said it has been receiving repeated queries from persons with diverse disabilities, organisations working on neurodiversity and intellectual disabilities, and caregivers, among others, seeking clarity on the enumeration process.
According to the organisation, the Gazette of India notification dated August 14, 2026, lists disability as Item No. 13 among the census questions. Existing information suggests that disability will be recorded under nine broad categories covering 21 types of disabilities, it said.
“However, there is still no clarity on digital self-enumeration for persons with disabilities, the specific enumeration process, the availability of accessible digital self-enumeration facilities or the awareness initiatives planned to ensure that persons with disabilities can participate.
“Concerns also remain about how Census enumerators will be trained and sensitised to engage effectively with households having family members with disabilities,” it said.
Participants from 30 states shared their experiences and expressed willingness to support census operations in their respective states, the organisation said. They flagged limited awareness about self-enumeration and gaps in enumerator sensitisation.
Particular attention was drawn to persons with high support needs, people affected by leprosy living in isolated colonies, and those in remote and underserved communities, who may face additional barriers to being counted.
The NCPEDP said it has been working on disability inclusion in the census since 2001, engaging with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI) and working on enumerator training.
NCPEDP executive director Arman Ali reviewed the census pre-test manual and appreciated the attention given to sensitivity and awareness among enumerators, the organisation said.
The NCPEDP reiterated its willingness to collaborate with the government, the Registrar General of India and state census directorates to make Census 2027 accessible, transparent and inclusive.
It called for clear public communication, accessible enumeration mechanisms, appropriate training for census officials and meaningful engagement with organisations of persons with disabilities.
The consultation concluded with a call for a nationwide “Missing Millions Campaign” to raise awareness among persons with disabilities, their families and other stakeholders and strengthen advocacy through collaboration with the media.
“Data is critical. Census data is what the country will work with for the next decade and will go a long way in ensuring persons with disabilities are counted and not an afterthought,” the organisation said. PTI ADI RHL
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