Census-2027 to be first digital census, says DoCO

Director of Census Operations (DoCO), Nagaland, Dr. Zasekuolie Chusi, along with officials from the Directorate, called on chief secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat on August 7 to discuss preparations for the upcoming Census-2027.
During the meeting, Dr. Chusi congratulated the chief secretary on his recent promotion and sought his support and guidance for the successful execution of the census operations in the State.
Highlighting key aspects of Census-2027, the director informed that it will be the 16th census in the national series and the 8th since Independence. The census will be conducted in two phases: the House Listing Operation from April to September 2026, and the Population Enumeration in February 2027, excluding snow-bound areas.
Dr. Chusi informed that Census-2027 will be India’s first digital census, with enumerators using mobile phones for data collection. For the first time, residents will also have the option of “Self-Enumeration”.
He further informed that jurisdictional changes across the country will be frozen from January 1, 2026, and the census will be conducted based on the administrative boundaries as of December 31, 2025.
Though census is a Union subject, its execution is carried out by the State machinery, with Deputy Commissioners serving as Principal Census Officers and Administrative Officers as Charge Officers at the district level. Supervisors and Enumerators will be appointed from the teaching community.
Unlike previous censuses where enumerators drew freehand notional maps, the 2027 census will utilize geo-referenced digital layout maps, and all buildings and structures will be geo-tagged.
A pre-test is also planned in the coming months in one district, covering both rural and urban areas. The pre-test will serve as a dress rehearsal, incorporating all operational aspects including appointment of officials, training, fieldwork, and honorarium disbursement. A district with challenging accessibility and poor network coverage is expected to be selected for the exercise.
A brief PowerPoint presentation on census processes, preparedness, and timelines was delivered by Mhathung Rangthang, Assistant Director.