Census 2027 First Phase in Delhi: Digital Houselisting Operations Set to Commence
The inaugural phase of Census 2027, involving comprehensive houselisting operations across all 13 revenue districts of Delhi, is poised to initiate from April 15 within the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Cantonment jurisdictions. According to official sources, the formal schedule will be officially notified by the Delhi government several weeks prior to the commencement of the exercise. In a staggered approach, the census activities will expand to municipal corporation areas starting May 15.
Ground-Level Preparations and Digital Training Intensify
The government has significantly ramped up ground-level preparations to ensure a seamless execution. A cohort of 17 master trainers is scheduled to undergo intensive, comprehensive training on houselisting procedures from February 11 to 13. The distribution of master trainers varies by district; for instance, the West district will have two master trainers, whereas the South district will have only one.
"The master trainers comprise tehsildars, lecturers, postgraduate teachers, district informatics officers, and statistical officers. Informatics officers have been specifically engaged because the upcoming census will be conducted in a completely digital format. All data will be captured on mobile phones by enumerators, making it essential that master trainers are well-versed in digital data handling," explained an official.
Cascade Training Model and VIP Area Oversight
The government will implement a cascade training model, wherein master trainers will subsequently train supervisory staff and enumerators on census procedures and data collection methodologies. For the prestigious Lutyens' Delhi area, which includes the residences of the President of India, the Prime Minister, and other VIPs, additional charge officers such as the ADM, chief engineer, and engineers have been appointed to oversee the houselisting process.
In Delhi, the census will be overseen by the director of census operations, with district magistrates serving as principal officers at the district level. At the ward level, charge officers—primarily principals and revenue officials—will supervise teams of 40-50 enumerators, including teachers and government staff, who will conduct the exercise on the ground.
Staggered Rollout and Operational Structure
To circumvent operational bottlenecks in the city, which currently boasts an estimated 50 lakh households spread across 250 wards (excluding Lutyens' Delhi and Delhi Cantonment areas), authorities have meticulously planned a staggered rollout. "As per the plan under discussion, the census will first begin in NDMC areas and Delhi Cantonment, which have very low population density as compared to other areas. Once these areas are covered, the exercise will expand to the 250 MCD zones," stated the official.
Approximately 260 charge officers will supervise the operation across the city. NDMC areas will be managed by nine charge officers, mainly from the revenue and engineering departments, while Delhi Cantonment will have one dedicated officer. The remaining 250 charge officers—mostly school principals—will oversee census work in MCD wards, with one officer assigned to each ward.
Digital Data Collection and Houselisting Questionnaire
During the houselisting phase, enumerators will utilize mobile applications to list and geo-tag buildings with the assistance of satellite imagery. Data entered during household visits will be uploaded in real time and cross-checked to minimize errors. The houselisting phase will encompass 33 questions, focusing on housing conditions and household amenities rather than individual details.
Enumerators will gather information on building usage, construction material, access to water and sanitation, cooking fuel, ownership of assets and vehicles, and even the main cereal consumed by the household—an addition aimed at understanding nutrition patterns. The entire first phase of the census is anticipated to be completed within 30 days once it commences.
Second Phase and Broader Implications
The second phase of the census, dedicated to population enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027. This digital-first approach marks a significant evolution in India's census methodology, leveraging technology to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and real-time data validation. The initiative underscores Delhi's commitment to modernizing governance and data-driven policy-making, setting a precedent for future nationwide exercises.
