Census-2027 to go fully digital; P’kula, Hisar, Faridabad chosen for pilot

With Census-2027 set to go fully digital, three Haryana districts — Panchkula, Hisar and Faridabad — have been selected for the pilot project to rehearse the upcoming nationwide enumeration process.

Will set new benchmarks in digital data collection

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“For the first time in the history of census operations, the census data would be collected through a mobile app through self-enumeration, doing away with voluminous paper work. The project is part of the ‘Digital India’ initiative of the Government of India and would set new benchmarks in data collection and compilation.”

— Lalit Jain, director, census operations, haryana

The pilot, technically known as the pre-test, will be conducted from November 10 to 30 in 106 sample blocks, including 64 rural and 42 urban areas, to test digital enumeration tools and procedures.

Lalit Jain, Director of Census Operations, Haryana, told ‘The Tribune’ that for the first time in India’s census history, data will be collected digitally through a mobile app using self-enumeration, eliminating voluminous paperwork.

“For the first time in the history of census operations, the census data would be collected through a mobile app via self-enumeration, doing away with voluminous paper work. The project is part of the ‘Digital India’ initiative of the Government of India and would set new benchmarks in data collection and compilation,” Jain said.

He said the primary focus this time will be on training and monitoring through the Census web portal, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. “There would be minimum descriptive entries through coded responses for faster data finalisation,” he explained.

Under the pre-test exercise, enumerators will collect information on housing conditions, available amenities and household assets.

The preparatory work, including the training of enumerators, will begin on October 17 as a precursor to the November 10 rehearsal.

According to officials, Census-2027 will be conducted in two phases — the houselisting phase from April to September 2026, followed by the population enumeration phase in February 2027.