Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUN 17 (NPN): Nagaland has formally commenced preparations for Census 2027, with authorities mobilising more than 6,400 personnel for what officials described as a landmark digital census that will play a crucial role in shaping future development policies and planning in the state and across the country.
Addressing the media at Kohima Press Club, director of Census Operations and director of Citizen Registration for Nagaland, Dr. Kenei Miachieo, said Census 2027 had already begun in the state and would provide critical data to support India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He said the census was being conducted under the Census Act, 1948, a Central subject implemented jointly by the Centre and state governments. At the state level, a State Census Coordination Committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted, while the Home Commissioner serves as the State Nodal Officer.
Dr. Miachieo informed that the first phase, known as the House Listing Operation, would be carried out in Nagaland from July 1 to July 30, 2026, while the second phase is expected to be conducted in February 2027. At the national level, the Government of India has fixed the House Listing Operation between April 1 and September 30, 2026. He said Census 2027 would be the 16th Census of India and the eighth since Independence, with the most significant feature being its transition to a fully digital format.
Highlighting the key changes, he said households would have the option of self-enumeration through a dedicated Census Portal. Enumerators would collect data using mobile applications, while data processing and tabulation would be carried out digitally.
He added that geo-referenced maps generated through satellite imagery would be integrated into mobile applications, and a dedicated Census Management and Monitoring System had been established for real-time monitoring by state and central authorities.
Describing the exercise as a major transformation in census operations, Dr. Miachieo said digital technology would improve efficiency, accuracy and transparency.
Also addressing the media, additional deputy commissioner Kelevituo Nisa said extensive preparations were underway to ensure complete coverage and accurate data collection. He informed that all key administrative and field personnel had been trained, while further training programmes were in progress.
Providing details of the administrative structure, he said Nagaland comprises 17 districts, 118 sub-divisions, 39 statutory towns, five census towns and 1,606 villages.
He informed that deputy commissioners had been designated as principal census officers, while additional deputy commissioners at district headquarters would function as district census officers. A total of 157 charge officers comprising ADCs, SDOs and EACs have been appointed.
Further, six master trainers have been assigned to train 130 field trainers. For field operations, the state has appointed 1,060 Supervisors and 5,118 Enumerators, including reserve personnel.
In all, 6,461 personnel have been mobilised for the successful conduct of Census 2027.
Nisa appealed to the public to cooperate fully with enumerators during the exercise, stating that the quality and accuracy of census data would directly influence future planning, resource allocation and development initiatives in the state. The press conference was chaired by PIB media & communication officer, Kohima, Andrew Lalchhandama.