Bhubaneswar, Odisha – Jan 08, 2026

Odisha is gearing up to commence the first phase of the Census 2027 from April 2026, marking a significant step in the countrywide enumeration exercise. According to senior officials, the state government has planned a meticulous strategy to ensure that every household and individual is accounted for, leveraging both manpower and digital technologies to facilitate the process. The final population count, which forms the culmination of this extensive exercise, is slated to begin in February 2027.

At a State-level Census Co-ordination Committee meeting chaired by Development Commissioner DK Singh on Wednesday, Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Director of Census Operations in Odisha, outlined the roadmap for the forthcoming census exercise. The committee reviewed operational plans, human resource allocation, technological integration, and logistics to ensure a seamless enumeration across the state.

First Phase: House Listing and Housing Census

The first phase, primarily focused on house listing and housing census operations, is scheduled to span a month from April to May 2026. This initial step is designed to establish a comprehensive database of households and residential units across urban and rural Odisha. It will form the foundation for the subsequent population enumeration, ensuring accuracy and completeness in data collection.

Officials highlighted that this stage will involve deploying approximately 1 lakh enumerators and 15,000 supervisors, reflecting the sheer scale of the operation. Each enumerator will typically cover around 200 houses, which, on average, house about 800 individuals. This allocation is aimed at balancing the workload while maintaining high standards of data accuracy and integrity.

Enumerators will undergo a structured training program during January, February, and March 2026. The training will cover procedures for digital data collection, handling of census forms, interaction with households, verification protocols, and security measures. To incentivize their work, each enumerator will receive a financial allowance of ₹25,000 for their services during the exercise. Supervisors will oversee the work, ensuring adherence to protocols and quality control.

Population Enumeration Phase

Following the house listing phase, the primary population enumeration is scheduled to take place from February 9 to February 28, 2027. This phase involves collecting detailed demographic, social, and economic information from every individual within the state. A brief revision round in early March 2027 will follow the main enumeration to ensure no residents are inadvertently left out, addressing issues such as missed households or unreported individuals.

The enumeration will cover a wide spectrum of information, including household composition, age, gender, education, occupation, and migration patterns. The collected data will provide a critical basis for government planning, policy formulation, and resource allocation across multiple sectors, including health, education, infrastructure, and social welfare programs.

Digital Census: Emphasis on Online Data Collection

A notable feature of the upcoming census is the high degree of digital integration. According to Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, about 90 per cent of data collection is expected to be conducted online, reflecting Odisha’s commitment to modernizing census operations. Enumerators will use digital tools, including tablets and mobile devices, to record information, reducing paperwork, errors, and the time required for data processing.

In addition, the state has enabled self-registration through the official census website, allowing residents to provide their own information using an OTP-based mobile verification system. This option is aimed at improving coverage and accuracy, particularly in urban areas with higher internet penetration. To maintain data security, features such as screenshots from the app will be disabled, and each mobile number can be used only once.

Officials emphasized that digital literacy and accessibility support will be extended to ensure that even residents with limited familiarity with technology can participate effectively. Enumerators will assist households in completing digital forms when required, ensuring inclusivity across urban, semi-urban, and rural populations.

Preparatory Measures and Surveys

Preparations for the census have already advanced significantly. Pre-test surveys have been completed in major urban centers like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, allowing officials to identify potential challenges, test data collection methodologies, and refine digital tools. Additionally, the state has finalized boundaries for newly declared Notified Area Councils (NACs) and municipalities, ensuring that administrative divisions are accurately reflected in the census data.

These preparatory steps are critical to avoid duplication, omissions, or misclassifications during enumeration. They also enable better planning for manpower deployment, training schedules, and logistical arrangements, contributing to the overall efficiency of the census operation.

Manpower and Training

The success of the census relies heavily on the capabilities of enumerators and supervisors. Officials have emphasized comprehensive training modules, which will cover not only procedural aspects but also soft skills, such as communication and conflict resolution, to handle situations where households may be hesitant or unwilling to provide information.

The enumerators’ remuneration of ₹25,000 has been structured to ensure motivation while maintaining accountability. Supervisors will monitor field activities, conduct random verification checks, and provide guidance to enumerators encountering difficulties. These measures are intended to enhance both the quality and reliability of the collected data.

Significance of the Census

The Census of India is a constitutional exercise and one of the largest administrative undertakings globally. Odisha’s participation in this national effort is vital for generating accurate demographic and socio-economic data, which will influence planning, governance, and policymaking for the next decade.

Census data informs a range of critical decisions, from the distribution of central and state government funds to planning for healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. Accurate population counts also play a role in political representation, including delimitation of constituencies and allocation of legislative seats.

With Odisha poised to deploy a digitally-enabled workforce of over one lakh enumerators, the state is expected to set benchmarks in efficiency, accuracy, and technological integration. The combination of field-based enumeration, digital data capture, and self-registration options ensures that the census remains both inclusive and robust.

Security and Data Integrity

Given the sensitive nature of personal information collected during the census, officials have stressed strict data security protocols. Mobile and digital devices used for enumeration will be configured to prevent unauthorized access, copying, or sharing of data. Each enumerator and supervisor will follow clear guidelines on privacy, data protection, and ethical conduct during the enumeration process.

The use of OTP verification for self-registration, coupled with limitations on multiple submissions, is designed to ensure uniqueness and authenticity of records. This dual approach of field enumeration and digital self-registration is expected to minimize errors and provide a comprehensive view of Odisha’s population.

Looking Ahead

As Odisha prepares for the first phase of Census 2027, officials remain confident that the extensive planning, robust training, and digital integration will ensure a smooth and accurate enumeration process. By combining technology with a large workforce of trained enumerators, the state aims to achieve comprehensive coverage, capturing every resident and household.

The initial phase in April 2026 will lay the groundwork for the subsequent population count in February 2027, followed by a revision round in March to confirm completeness. The census is expected to generate valuable insights into demographic trends, migration patterns, housing conditions, and socio-economic characteristics, providing policymakers with the necessary tools for informed decision-making over the next decade.

With preparations well underway, Odisha is poised to execute one of the largest and most technologically advanced census exercises in the country, ensuring that every resident is accounted for in this crucial national initiative.

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