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Politics
Mizoram to List Refugees Separately in 2027 Census, Government Announces
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 12 Oct 2026, 04:01 AM
👁 94
The Mizoram state government has decided that refugees residing in the state will be enumerated as a distinct category in the upcoming 2027 Census.
Mizoram's administration announced that the forthcoming 2027 national census will record refugees living in the state as a separate demographic group. The decision, communicated through an official circular, aims to generate more accurate data on the refugee population, which has grown in recent years due to regional conflicts.
Officials said the separate enumeration will help the state plan targeted welfare schemes and coordinate with central agencies responsible for refugee assistance. The move also aligns with recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs to improve demographic profiling of vulnerable groups.
The census, scheduled to begin in early 2027, will continue to collect standard data on households, literacy, and employment, while adding a distinct line for refugees. Authorities have urged local bodies to cooperate fully to ensure the new category is captured without duplication.
The change follows similar calls from civil society groups who argued that lumping refugees with the general population obscures their specific needs. No additional financial outlay has been announced, and the state expects the existing census infrastructure to accommodate the new classification.
The government has not disclosed the exact number of refugees currently residing in Mizoram, but the separate count is expected to provide clearer insight for future policy formulation.
Officials said the separate enumeration will help the state plan targeted welfare schemes and coordinate with central agencies responsible for refugee assistance. The move also aligns with recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs to improve demographic profiling of vulnerable groups.
The census, scheduled to begin in early 2027, will continue to collect standard data on households, literacy, and employment, while adding a distinct line for refugees. Authorities have urged local bodies to cooperate fully to ensure the new category is captured without duplication.
The change follows similar calls from civil society groups who argued that lumping refugees with the general population obscures their specific needs. No additional financial outlay has been announced, and the state expects the existing census infrastructure to accommodate the new classification.
The government has not disclosed the exact number of refugees currently residing in Mizoram, but the separate count is expected to provide clearer insight for future policy formulation.