The wheels have been set in motion for India's next massive population count as Chandigarh takes the lead in preparatory activities for Census 2027. The Union Territory administration has commenced crucial groundwork in two key locations – the urban landscape of Sector 22 and the rural setting of Sarangpur village.
First Steps in a National Exercise
Field staff from the Census Directorate have initiated door-to-door surveys, marking the beginning of what will become one of the world's largest administrative exercises. This preliminary work focuses on collecting essential baseline data about buildings and housing structures across the designated areas.
Why This Early Start Matters
Unlike the actual census that counts every individual, this initial phase concentrates on creating a comprehensive framework of all physical structures. The methodology involves:
- Detailed mapping of residential and commercial buildings
- Documenting housing conditions and amenities
- Establishing accurate geographical boundaries
- Creating a robust foundation for the actual population count
Chandigarh's Strategic Importance
As a planned city and Union Territory, Chandigarh serves as an ideal testing ground for census operations. The selection of both urban (Sector 22) and rural (Sarangpur) locations provides valuable insights into different settlement patterns that will inform the national rollout.
The data collected during this phase will be crucial for:
- Planning resource allocation for the main census operation
- Training enumerators effectively
- Developing efficient data collection methodologies
- Ensuring comprehensive coverage during the actual count
Looking Ahead to 2027
While the full-scale digital census was initially planned for 2021 but delayed due to the pandemic, the early commencement in Chandigarh signals the government's commitment to conducting a thorough and accurate population assessment. The information gathered will shape policy decisions, development planning, and resource distribution for the next decade.
As Chandigarh leads the way, other states and union territories are expected to follow suit with similar preparatory exercises, building toward the monumental task of counting India's 1.4 billion population in 2027.
