India, Jan. 23 -- The government on Thursday notified 33 questions that will be asked during the first phase of the Census, known as house listing and housing enumeration, starting April 1. The revised plan adds separate questions on internet access, mobile numbers and cereal consumption, and removes a question on banking services that was part of the 2011 exercise.

The first phase of Census 2027 will be carried out over a 30-day period chosen by each state and union territory between April 1 and September 30 this year. People will also have the option of self-enumeration during a 15-day window before the start of the 30-day house listing period.

The Census was originally due in 2021 but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The...