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The Manipur High Court (High Court) has directed the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to consider seven representations raising concerns over the proposed Census of India, 2027 in Manipur and pass a common reasoned order by April 30, 2027. The High Court has also directed that the census exercise in Manipur shall continue to remain in abeyance until that date.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M. Sundar and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma passed the directions while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) and the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), along with a connected writ petition.

The petitioners had raised concerns regarding the proposed census exercise, including issues relating to the demand for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the proposed delimitation exercise in Manipur. During the proceedings reference was also made to unanimous resolutions passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 5, 2022 and March 1, 2024, concerning the introduction and enforcement of the NRC in the State.

The High Court noted that seven representations had been placed before it. These included representations submitted by the PIL petitioners, the writ petitioner and the Joint Committee Opposing Delimitation Exercise in Manipur, as well as a memorandum submitted by 14 civil society organisations.

Considering the larger public interest, the High Court directed the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to examine the seven representations individually on their respective merits and in accordance with law and dispose of them through a speaking order.

The High Court further permitted any other individual or entity to submit a representation by November 25, 2026. The existing petitioners were also permitted to submit additional representations within the same period.

All further representations received by the said deadline are to be considered and disposed of through one common speaking order. Representations submitted after November 25, 2026 will not fall within the scope of the High Court's directions.

The High Court also left it open to the State Government, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to conduct public consultations, if considered necessary. In case public consultations are not considered necessary, the reasons for dispensing with them shall be recorded in the common speaking order.

The entire exercise is to be completed expeditiously and in any event, no later than April 30, 2027.

Importantly, the High Court directed that the existing notifications issued by the Central Government on September 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026, along with the notification issued by the Manipur Government on March 22, 2026, shall continue to operate until April 30, 2027. The census exercise in Manipur shall accordingly remain in abeyance until that date.

The High Court further directed that after the common speaking order is passed, the census exercise shall continue to remain in abeyance for another four weeks. This period is intended to allow the petitioners or any other aggrieved person to approach the High Court if they are dissatisfied with the decision. The speaking order shall also be uploaded on the official websites of the Manipur Government and the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.

The High Court clarified that if the speaking order is challenged then any such proceedings would be considered independently on their own merits and in accordance with law without being influenced by earlier orders. All rights and contentions of the parties have been kept open.

Counsel for the Petitioners: Kh. Tarunkumar, Senior Advocate, instructed by Meinam Rustam Singh, Advocate; and Hijam Chandrakumar Singh, Advocate.

Counsel for the Union of India and Census Authorities: Kh. Samarjit, Senior Advocate and Deputy Solicitor General of India, instructed by Nongdamba Naorem, Advocate.

Counsel for the State of Manipur: Lenin Hijam, Senior Advocate and Advocate General, instructed by Thanyomi Keishing, State Counsel.

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