The Government of Kerala, General Administration (Protocol) Department vide Notification No.Pro 5A/2/2025/GAD-Part(5) dated 07/05/2026  has issued a notification under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948 and Rule 8(ii) of the Census Rules, 1990, directing the public to cooperate fully with the forthcoming Census operations in the State.

In Kerala, Census 2027 Phase I (Houselisting and Housing Census) will be conducted from 1 to 30 July, 2026 succeeding a 15-day self-enumeration period commencing on 16 June, 2026.

The Government has urged all residents to provide accurate, complete, and unambiguous information to Census officials during the enumeration process.

The notification highlights several important legal provisions for public awareness:

• Census officers are authorized to ask questions notified by the Central Government, and citizens are legally bound to answer them truthfully to the best of their knowledge or belief under Section 8 of the Census Act, 1948.
• Occupants of houses, establishments, or other premises must permit reasonable access to Census officials and allow the affixing of Census identification marks or numbers where necessary under Section 9 of the Census Act, 1948.
• Schedules left by Census officers must be duly filled and submitted as directed under Section 10 of the Census Act, 1948. 
• Any person who intentionally provides false information, refuses to answer legally required questions, obstructs Census work, damages Census markings, or fails to comply with Census procedures may face penalties under Section 11 of the Census Act, 1948.
• Census records are strictly confidential and protected under Section 15 of the Act. Such records are not open to public inspection and are not admissible as evidence in civil or criminal proceedings other than a prosecution under this Act or any other law for any act or omission which constitute an offence under the Act

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