The Manipur High Court has directed the Central Government to examine seven representations concerning the proposed Census 2027 exercise in Manipur and pass a reasoned order by April 30, 2027. The Court has also ordered that the census exercise in the State remain suspended until that date.
Background
The matter arose from 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 filed by Shanta Singh Nahakpam.
The petitioners raised concerns regarding the proposed Census 2027 exercise in Manipur, particularly in the context of displacement, population records, administrative changes and demands for a National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The proceedings also involved representations submitted by civil society organisations and other individuals seeking consideration of issues relating to the census exercise.
During earlier hearings, the Central Government informed the Court that it had decided to postpone the house-listing operations in Manipur. The State Government also agreed to keep its notification concerning the commencement of house-listing operations in abeyance.
Subsequently, the Central Government issued notifications dated September 5, 2026, and October 30, 2026, while the State Government's notification was dated March 22, 2026.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M. Sundar and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma noted that, following the three notifications, the census exercise in Manipur had already been put on hold.
The Court recorded that all counsel appearing in the matter agreed that examining the representations would better serve the larger public interest.
The Bench observed:
"In the aforesaid scenario, there was consensus among all the counsel, senior counsel, learned Advocate General, learned DSGI before this Court today that it will serve larger public interest better if there is a direction to consider and take a call on as many as seven representations which are before this Court as part of the case-file, keeping the census exercise (in the State of Manipur) in abeyance vide afore-referred three Notifications of R2 and R5."
The Court further directed that the representations must be considered independently and in accordance with law. The Central Government must also issue a speaking order, meaning a reasoned decision explaining the basis for its conclusions.
The Bench directed the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to examine all seven representations and dispose of them through a common speaking order.
It also permitted other individuals and organisations to submit additional representations by November 25, 2026. The petitioners and the writ petitioner were given the same opportunity.
The Court clarified:
"In the course of considering the representations in the aforesaid manner, it is open to State and more particularly R2, to hold public consultations if considered necessary. If it is considered not necessary, the reasons shall be set out in the common speaking order."
The entire exercise must be completed by April 30, 2027. The Central Government must also serve the final order on the petitioners' lawyers within five working days of its issuance.
The High Court directed that the census exercise in Manipur remain in abeyance until April 30, 2027, and prohibited any rollback or modification of the three existing notifications during this period.
After the common speaking order is issued, the census process must remain suspended for another four weeks, allowing affected parties to approach the Court if they are dissatisfied with the decision.
Accordingly, the Court disposed of the main PIL and writ petition, along with the connected miscellaneous applications, in the above terms.
There was no order as to costs.
Case Details
Case Title: Kangleipak Students’ Association & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors., along with connected
Case Number: PIL No. 14 of 2026 and WP(C) No. 623 of 2026, along with connected miscellaneous cases.
Bench: Chief Justice M. Sundar and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma
Decision Date: November 4, 2026
