Census 2027: Enumerators to use own smartphones to collect data

The apps were developed initially for the 2021 Census but are now being redeveloped and recalibrated to match the technological enhancements in mobile phones and operating systems, said a source.

According to the source, if, for some reason, an enumerator collects data on paper, they will have to then enter it on a dedicated web portal so that no subsequent scanning or data entry is required. This means that the Census data will, for the first time, be digitised at the enumerator level itself, ensuring timely availability of the information, the source added.

Sources said the mobile applications will be used in both phases of Census 2027 — the houselisting operation that will be conducted from April to September 2026, and the population enumeration that is scheduled to begin in February 2027 in the entire country, except for Ladakh, J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where it will be conducted in September 2026.

During the houselisting operation, details on housing conditions, household amenities, and assets possessed by the households will be collected.

In the upcoming Census, castes of household members will be enumerated in the upcoming Census, with people also having the option to self-enumerate.

It is learnt that the RGI, which comes under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, is also developing a website for real-time monitoring and management of the entire exercise. The RGI has sought a Rs 14,618.95-crore budget for the Census.

In 2011, the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) was also conducted in paperless mode, but the handheld electronic devices (tablet PCs) were provided by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

Apart from its digital nature and the self-enumeration option, Census 2027 will also see another first — geo-tagging of all buildings, residential and non-residential.

As reported by The Indian Express on September 2, enumerators will use Digital Layout Mapping (DLM) to geo-tag all buildings with their assigned Houselisting Blocks (HLBs) during the houselisting operations.

Geo-tagging is the process of assigning a unique latitude-longitude coordinate to a specific building on a Geographical Information System (GIS) map.

Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister’s Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd