Census 2027 to be paperless, smartphone-based in Chandigarh

The Census 2027 will be conducted entirely in a digital mode, stated Dr Navjot Khosa, Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Chandigarh.

As part of the preparatory activities, a three-day pre-test training programme is being held at Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11. Senior officers/lead trainers are conducting sessions on house listing procedures, enumeration instructions, digital guidelines, the self-enumeration option and responsibilities of enumerators and supervisors.

Trainers are also briefing the field staff on documentation, timelines and use of digital tools during the exercise.

The actual field operations (pre-test) will be conducted from November 10 to 30 in selected areas of Sector 22 and Sarangpur. Detailed work will be carried out in selected wards of these areas.

Dr Khosa further guided the participants and emphasised the importance of accurate and timely data collection during the Census.

The Director also highlighted that the upcoming Census will be conducted entirely in digital mode and proper capacity building at all levels is crucial to ensure quality and reliable data. She said self-enumeration facility will be available for citizens.

Delivering the keynote address, SDM (Central) Naveen informed the participants that it will be a smartphone-based digital Census. Field functionaries will use mobile apps to collect data directly in digital form.

The Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, House Listing and Housing Census will be conducted in any one month between the period from April 1 to September 30, 2026. In the second phase, population enumeration will be conducted from February 9 to 28, 2027. Both phases will be carried out in a digital manner.