Central Government to take census
Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 deals with central Government to take census. The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare its intention of taking a census in the whole or any part of the territories to which this Act extends, whenever it may consider it necessary or desirable so to do, and there upon the census shall be taken. The Act came into force on 03 Sep 1948.
The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare its intention of taking a census in the whole or any part of the territories to which this Act extends, whenever it may consider it necessary or desirable so to do, and there upon the census shall be taken.
Section 3, The Census Act, 1948 (Act 37 of 1948).
Made under this section, and citing it
9 instruments state that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.
- Notification Regarding House Listing and House CountNotification 2026
- Notification Regarding Questions Asked During House Listing and Housing CensusNotification 2026
- Notification Regarding for the purpose of conducting Census of India 2027Notification 2025
- Regarding House Listing For Census 2021Notification 2020
- Intention of Government to Conduct Census in 2021 - S.O. 1455(E)Notification 2019
- Notification Of Census 2021Notification 2019
- (a) Date for houselisting operations for census 2011 (b) List of questions that may be asked by Census Officer during census 2011Notification 2010
- Amendment to Notification SO 517(E) dated 25.2.2010Notification 2010
- Declaration of census of population during 2011Notification 2009
Another 1 instrument names this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 3
What does Section 3 of the Census Act deal with?
Section 3 of the Census Act is headed "Central Government to take census". The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare its intention of taking a census in the whole or any part of the territories to which this Act extends, whenever it may consider it necessary or desirable so to do, and there upon the census shall be taken.
How do I find court cases under Section 3 of the Census Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Census Act 1948 3, section 3 Census Act 1948, section 3 of the Census Act. People searching for it also type census act 1948 section 3. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 3 of the Census Act, and has it changed?
The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there are 9: most recently Notification Regarding House Listing and House Count (2026), then Notification Regarding Questions Asked During House Listing and Housing Census (2026), and 7 more.
When did Section 3 of the Census Act come into force?
Section 3 of the Census Act, cited as Census Act 1948 3, came into force on 03 Sep 1948, having been enacted on 03 Sep 1948. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 7B. Payment of compensation453 words
- 11. Penalties427 words
- 7F. Release of premises from requisition286 words
- 18. Power to make rules269 words
- 6. Discharge of duties of census-officers in certain cases261 words
- 10. Occupier or manager to fill up schedule215 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 16 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.