Thiruvananthapuram | November 13, 2025 – India is taking a historic step in modernising its demographic data collection with the launch of the pre-test for the country’s first digital census, which has begun in the southern state of Kerala. Officials announced on Thursday that the trial exercise, currently underway in select districts of the state, aims to identify and resolve technical and operational challenges ahead of the full nationwide digital census in 2027, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of India’s census operations.

The digital census initiative, a first for India, will transform the way population and housing data is collected, moving away from the traditional paper-based enumeration system. This trial run in Kerala is intended to test the feasibility, accuracy, and functionality of digital tools, ensuring that the census can be conducted efficiently across India’s diverse and geographically challenging regions. The exercise is being conducted under the provisions of the Census Act of 1948, which provides the legal framework for census operations in India.

The pre-test is being carried out in Palakkad, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts, chosen for their varied demographics and topography. In Palakkad, the trial is taking place in the tribal villages of Kallamala and Sholayur, under the administrative oversight of the Attappady Tribal Taluk Office. These villages were selected to test census operations in remote and tribal areas, which often pose logistical and connectivity challenges.

In Idukki district, the pre-test is being conducted in Irattayar village under Udumbanchola taluk, a hilly and sparsely populated region. Ernakulam, a more urban and densely populated district, is hosting the pre-test in Wards 1 to 4 of the Kochi Municipal Corporation, which presents a different set of challenges related to data collection in highly populated urban settings. By covering tribal, rural, hilly, and urban areas, the pre-test is designed to ensure that the digital census framework can adapt to diverse local conditions, from poor network connectivity in remote villages to complex household structures in urban localities.

To oversee the operation, District Collectors have been appointed as Principal Census Officers, responsible for overall supervision. At the sub-district level, the Tahsildars of Udumbanchola and Attappady taluks, along with the Secretary of the Kochi Corporation, have been designated as Charge Officers, responsible for executing the enumeration process in their respective areas. Enumerators, who are the frontline workforce, will collect information directly from households using mobile applications, replacing the traditional pen-and-paper method.

According to officials, the digital census will be conducted in two stages: first, the House Listing and Housing Census, and second, the Population Enumeration. The first stage will capture information on housing structures, household amenities, and other demographic indicators, while the second stage will collect detailed population data, including age, sex, literacy, employment, and migration patterns. This two-stage approach mirrors the methodology used in previous censuses but is enhanced through digital tools for greater efficiency and accuracy.

A Census Monitoring and Management System (CMMS) web portal has been established to track the progress of the pre-test in real time. The system enables senior officials and central authorities to monitor enumerator activity, submission of data, and overall progress, ensuring accountability and transparency in the field operations. The portal also allows for real-time troubleshooting, enabling rapid response to technical glitches or operational bottlenecks.

The primary aim of this pre-test is to identify and mitigate potential challenges associated with the use of mobile applications and other digital tools. These include issues related to data entry, software performance, network connectivity, battery life of devices, user interface, and overall system design. By simulating real census conditions in varied geographic settings, officials hope to develop protocols and solutions that will ensure smooth implementation when the census is conducted nationwide.

The sample areas chosen for the pre-test represent a wide range of conditions. For instance, Palakkad’s tribal villages test enumeration under conditions of limited connectivity and dispersed households, Idukki’s hilly terrain challenges data collection logistics and mobility, and Ernakulam’s urban wards assess the system’s ability to handle dense populations and complex housing arrangements. These diverse test environments provide critical insights into potential obstacles that could arise during the nationwide rollout.

Officials have also emphasised public cooperation as a key factor in the success of the pre-test. Georgekutty P V, Joint Director of Census Operations, Kerala, urged residents to provide accurate information and participate fully in the trial exercise. He highlighted that the digital census is not merely a technological shift but a crucial exercise in building reliable, up-to-date demographic data for policymaking, governance, and developmental planning.

To familiarise citizens with the process, Kerala offered a self-enumeration option from November 1 to 7, 2025, allowing households to submit information directly using the digital platform. The pre-test will continue until the end of the month, providing ample time for enumerators to test procedures, gather feedback, and refine the system before the full-scale implementation.

The digital transformation of India’s census is expected to offer several advantages over the traditional method. Mobile applications enable faster data capture, reduce errors associated with manual entry, and allow for immediate validation of information. Geotagging of households ensures that data is collected accurately and uniformly, while real-time submission reduces delays in compilation and analysis. This modern approach is also expected to significantly reduce the administrative burden and logistical challenges that have historically been associated with census operations in a country as large and diverse as India.

Central government officials have emphasised that the pre-test in Kerala is just the beginning of a phased, systematic rollout of the digital census nationwide. Lessons learned from this trial will be applied to subsequent pre-tests in other states, with adjustments made to the software, enumeration protocols, and monitoring systems based on the findings. This iterative approach is intended to ensure a smooth, efficient, and reliable digital census in 2027, providing the government with high-quality data for planning and policy development.

The digital census is also seen as a step toward greater transparency and citizen participation. By incorporating self-enumeration options and public engagement, the initiative empowers citizens to be active participants in the data collection process, while also fostering trust in the accuracy and credibility of census data. The government expects that these measures will help address some of the challenges faced in previous censuses, such as underreporting, duplication, or delayed data processing.

Officials underscored the importance of this digital transition not just for Kerala but for the entire country. With India’s population continuing to grow and urbanise, accurate and timely demographic data is more critical than ever. The digital census is expected to provide comprehensive insights into housing, migration, fertility, and employment patterns, enabling better-targeted social welfare programs, resource allocation, and long-term planning.

In conclusion, the pre-test for India’s first digital census represents a landmark step in modernising the nation’s demographic data collection. By testing the system in Kerala’s tribal, hilly, and urban areas, officials aim to ensure that the nationwide census in 2027 is conducted efficiently, accurately, and seamlessly. Citizens’ cooperation and engagement remain critical, as the success of this initiative depends on the participation of households across diverse regions. With technological tools, real-time monitoring, and careful planning, India is poised to enter a new era of digital, data-driven governance, marking a significant transformation in one of the country’s most important administrative exercises.