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Section8
The Census Act, 1948

Asking of questions and obligation to answer

In force From 03 Sep 1948 Act 37 of 1948 As on 19 Oct 2026

Act 37 of 1948 Ministry Home Affairs Enacted 03 Sep 1948 In force 03 Sep 1948 Cited by 1 provision Instruments 4

Section 8 of the Census Act, 1948 deals with asking of questions and obligation to answer. A census officer may ask all such questions of all persons within the limits of the local area for which he is appointed as, by instructions issued in this behalf by the [Central Government] and published in the Official Gazette, he may be directed to ask. The Act came into force on 03 Sep 1948.

(1) A census officer may ask all such questions of all persons within the limits of the local area for which he is appointed as, by instructions issued in this behalf by the 1 [Central Government] and published in the Official Gazette, he may be directed to ask.

(2) Every person of whom any question is asked under sub-section (1) shall be legally bound to answer such question to the best of his knowledge or belief:

Provided that no person shall be bound to state the name of any female member of his household, and no woman shall be bound to stale the name of her husband or deceased husband or of any other person whose name she is forbidden by custom to mention.

Section 8, The Census Act, 1948 (Act 37 of 1948).

Cross-references

Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.

Referred to by 1

  1. s. 11 Penalties

Made under this section, and citing it

2 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.

Another 2 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 8

What does Section 8 of the Census Act deal with?

Section 8 of the Census Act is headed "Asking of questions and obligation to answer". A census officer may ask all such questions of all persons within the limits of the local area for which he is appointed as, by instructions issued in this behalf by the [Central Government] and published in the Official Gazette, he may be directed to ask.

How do I find court cases under Section 8 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 8, section 8 Census Act 1948, section 8 of the Census Act. People searching for it also type census act 1948 section 8. 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 8 of the Census Act, and has it changed?

1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there are 2: most recently Notification Regarding Questions Asked During House Listing and Housing Census (2026), then Regarding House Listing For Census 2021 (2020).

When did Section 8 of the Census Act come into force?

Section 8 of the Census Act, cited as Census Act 1948 8, 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

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 19 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.