State govt issues directives for conduct of Census 2027

State government has issued directives calling for full public cooperation for the smooth conduct of the upcoming Census 2027, which will be conducted in two phases across the state.
In a notification, the home department informed that the first phase — House-listing and Housing Census — would be carried out in Nagaland from July 1-30, 2026. It said the facility for self-enumeration would be available from June 16-30, 2027.
The department informed that the second phase (Population Enumeration) was scheduled for February 2027 across the country, followed by a revisional round from March 1-5, 2027.
Emphasising that the success of the Census depended on the active cooperation of the public, the state government has requested the citizens to provide accurate and complete information to census officials. The notification highlighted some important sections of the Census Act, 1948, to inform the public of their rights and obligations:
Section 8 (Obligation to answer): Every person is legally bound to answer questions asked by census officers to the best of their knowledge. However, no person is required to disclose the name of any female member of the household, and women are not obliged to name their husband or any person whose name they are forbidden by custom to mention.
Section 9 (Access to premises): Occupiers of houses or premises must allow census officers reasonable access and permit them to paint or affix numbers or marks necessary for the census. Section 10 (Filling of schedules): Occupiers, managers, or officers of establishments are required to fill up the census schedules left at their premises with accurate details regarding inmates or employees and return them to the census officials.
Section 11 (Penalties): The Act prescribes penalties for non-cooperation. Offences such as refusing to answer questions, obstructing census officers, providing false information, damaging census markings, or failing to fill schedules can attract fines up to Rs.1,000.
In certain cases of refusal to perform duties, imprisonment up to three years may also be imposed. Abetment of such offences is punishable with a fine of up to Rs.1,000.
Section 15 (Confidentiality): Census records are strictly confidential. They cannot be inspected by the public and are not admissible as evidence in any court proceedings except in prosecutions under the Census Act itself.
The state home department has appealed to all citizens, especially household heads, to extend full support to census enumerators and ensure the smooth and successful completion of this vital national exercise.
The Census is the single largest and most comprehensive source of data on housing conditions, amenities, assets, demography, literacy, religion, economic activity, migration, fertility, and other vital indicators. It provides information down to the village and ward level and serves as a critical tool for planning and policy formulation by Central and State governments.