Census house-listing operations for Manipur put on hold till April 30, 2027, pending a common speaking order by Registrar General and Census Commissioner; all parties' rights preserved
In a landmark judgment delivered on November 4, 2026, the Manipur High Court (Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mr. M. Sundar and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma) has put on hold the Census of India 2027 operations in the State of Manipur. The Court's decision came in the backdrop of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 14 of 2026) and a writ petition challenging notifications issued by the Central and State Governments regarding the census exercise scheduled for early 2027.
The Court recorded that during the pendency of the litigation, the Central Government issued two notifications-dated September 5, 2026, and October 30, 2026-deferring the house-listing operations for Manipur and excluding the State from the census schedule until further declaration. Similarly, the State Government's notification dated March 22, 2026, was also kept in abeyance. These notifications effectively placed the census exercise in Manipur in a state of suspension.
The petitioners, including the Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) and the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), raised concerns through seven detailed representations submitted over the last year, seeking postponement, recounting, and related issues regarding the census. These included demands for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) of Manipur before conducting the census, and challenges to the delimitation exercise.
Acknowledging the complexity and sensitivity of the issues, the Court, with the consent of all parties, directed the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (R2) of the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider all seven representations on their merits and in accordance with law. The Court also allowed any further representations to be submitted within three weeks from the date of the order (i.e., by November 25, 2026), which would also be considered along with the existing ones.
The order emphasized that during this process, the authorities may hold public consultations if deemed necessary; if not, reasons must be recorded in the common speaking order. The Court mandated that this exercise be completed expeditiously, and in any event, on or before April 30, 2027.
Meanwhile, the earlier notifications deferring the census activities remain operative until April 30, 2027, without any rollback or modification, thereby keeping the census exercise in Manipur on hold until that date. After the disposal of the representations, the Court further directed that the common speaking order be served on the counsel for the petitioners and also uploaded on the official government websites. The census process will continue to be kept in abeyance for an additional four weeks after the speaking order to allow aggrieved parties to approach the Court if dissatisfied.
The Court's order reflects a consensus among senior counsel for the petitioners, the Deputy Solicitor General of India representing the Central Government, and the Advocate General for the State of Manipur, who all agreed that keeping the census in abeyance and considering the representations serves the larger public interest. The Court appreciated the balanced and fair approach adopted by all parties.
The judgment preserves all rights and contentions of the parties, leaving open the possibility of further judicial scrutiny after the common speaking order is issued. The matter underscores the importance of due process and sensitivity in conducting the census in regions with complex socio-political dynamics such as Manipur.
Bottom Line:
Census of India, 2027 - Manipur - House-listing and census exercise kept in abeyance - Court directed Registrar General and Census Commissioner to consider seven representations and any further representations received within stipulated time by a common speaking order - Existing notifications deferring census in Manipur to continue till 30.04.2027 - Rights and contentions of all parties kept open.
Statutory provision(s):
Sections 3, 17A of The Census Act, 1948; Rules 6A, 6D, 8(iii) of The Census Rules, 1990
