Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath formally launched the first phase of Census 2027 in the state on Thursday, initiating the house listing and housing census exercise under the theme 'Our Census, Our Development'. The event took place at the chief minister's residence in Lucknow.
Importance of Census for Development
Speaking at the launch, Adityanath emphasized that the census is not merely a population count but a vital tool for ensuring inclusive and planned development. He stated that accurate census data plays a crucial role in policymaking and the implementation of welfare schemes related to infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social security. The chief minister noted that the census would help ensure that all sections of society are included in the development process, adding that governance increasingly depends on data-driven decisions in the current era.
Digital Census and Self-Enumeration
Adityanath highlighted that, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is conducting a digital census for the first time. In the first phase, authorities will carry out house listing and housing-related data collection. Residents will have the option of self-enumeration from May 7 to May 21, allowing citizens to submit their details through a digital platform. After this period, census personnel will conduct door-to-door surveys. The second phase will involve the enumeration of individuals.
Caste Enumeration and Forest Villages
The chief minister announced that caste enumeration has also been included in this census exercise. Additionally, forest villages will be covered in the census process for the first time, ensuring that remote communities are counted.
Technology and Deployment
Highlighting the use of technology, Adityanath said a dedicated census portal has been developed to improve transparency, speed, and monitoring of the process down to the village and ward level. According to the chief minister, Uttar Pradesh has an estimated population of around 25.7 crore. The census exercise will be conducted across 18 divisions, 75 districts, 350 tehsils, 17 municipal corporations, 745 urban local bodies, 21 cantonment boards, 57,694 gram panchayats, and nearly 1.04 lakh revenue villages.
Around 5.47 lakh personnel will be deployed for the exercise, including 4.5 lakh enumerators, 85,000 supervisors, and 12,000 state and district-level officers. About 5.35 lakh personnel have already been trained for both phases of the census.
Appeal to Residents
Adityanath appealed to residents to treat the census as a national responsibility and participate actively by providing accurate information and ensuring that they are counted only once. He urged everyone to contribute to the success of this landmark exercise.
