The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has officially commenced groundwork for the much-anticipated 2026 Population Census by appointing 36 dedicated civic officials to oversee the massive enumeration exercise across the city.
Census Staff Appointment Process Begins
In accordance with directives from both the Union and state government, PMC has appointed 36 civic staff members to spearhead the Population Census operations scheduled for next year. Additional Municipal Commissioner Omprakash Diwate confirmed the development, stating that these appointments mark the initial phase of the comprehensive census preparation process.
The decision to begin staffing comes after significant delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which originally postponed the census exercise that was due in 2021. The upcoming census will be particularly significant as it's expected to include caste-based data collection alongside standard demographic information.
Enumeration Block Demarcation Underway
The PMC's Census department has initiated the crucial process of demarcating Enumeration Blocks (EBs) - the fundamental geographical units for census data collection. This work is currently focused on electoral panel areas within the civic body's jurisdiction.
According to Diwate, the newly appointed civic staff has been tasked with preparing detailed lists of available manpower from educational institutions, including schools and colleges. "The civic staff has been asked to prepare a detailed list of manpower available in schools, colleges and educational institutes, along with addresses of the manpower, so that they can be deputed for field work during the Census period," Diwate explained.
Training and Preparation Strategy
The comprehensive manpower mapping exercise serves a dual purpose: identifying potential field staff and facilitating targeted training programs. By creating detailed databases of available personnel from educational institutions, the PMC aims to ensure adequate training for all individuals involved in census operations.
The Population Census, conducted once every decade, represents one of the largest administrative exercises undertaken by the government. It compiles exhaustive data about every citizen, including economic status, which subsequently informs government policy-making and welfare scheme development.
The upcoming 2026 census holds particular importance as it will capture demographic changes that have occurred since the last census in 2011, providing crucial insights into India's evolving population dynamics and supporting evidence-based governance decisions.
