Manipur High Court Puts 2027 Census on Hold Till April 30, Seeks Centre's Response on NRC Demand

The Manipur High Court has ordered a halt to the 2027 Census exercise in the state until April 30, 2027, directing the Centre to examine demands for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and other concerns before proceeding with the population count.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice M Sundar and Justice A Guneshwar Sharma passed the order on November 4 while disposing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) and the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), along with a connected petition filed by Shanta Singh Nahakpam.

The court directed the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to examine seven representations submitted by civil society organisations, student bodies and individuals and issue a common, reasoned decision by April 30, 2027.

The representations raised concerns over alleged demographic changes, population growth in hill districts, village records and the difficulties of accurately counting people displaced by the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023.

The petitioners also argued that the 1951 NRC should be updated before the next Census to address concerns over population records and alleged illegal immigration. They pointed to resolutions unanimously adopted by the Manipur Assembly in August 2022 and March 2024 seeking the introduction of the NRC in the state.

The issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) also featured prominently. The petitioners sought safeguards to ensure that people forced to leave their homes because of the conflict are properly counted, including recording their original places of residence and displacement status.

The Centre had earlier deferred house-listing operations in Manipur through a notification issued on September 5. It subsequently postponed the entire Census exercise in the state through another notification on October 30.

The High Court said these decisions must remain in force and that there should be no rollback or modification of the notifications until April 30, 2027.

The court has also allowed individuals and organisations to submit additional representations by November 25, 2026. It said the authorities may hold public consultations while examining the submissions.

The order does not direct the government to update the NRC or make it a mandatory precondition for the Census. Instead, it requires the authorities to consider the demands and explain their decision before the exercise can move forward.