NEW DELHI: The first phase of the long-awaited Census 2027 has commenced in select parts of the national capital, with house-listing and housing enumeration operations beginning in areas under the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Delhi Cantonment Board.
Officials said the exercise, which started on April 16, marks the initial step toward compiling a comprehensive database of households across the country. The house-listing phase in these zones will continue until May 15, after which it will be extended to other parts of Delhi, including areas under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), from May 16 to June 15.
During this phase, enumerators will conduct door-to-door visits to record details of buildings, households, and basic amenities. The information collected will include the condition of houses, access to water, sanitation, electricity, and other essential facilities. Authorities emphasised that this stage is crucial for creating a reliable sampling frame for the second phase—population enumeration—scheduled for 2027. To ensure accuracy and efficiency, over 600 trained officials have been deployed across NDMC and cantonment areas. The city has been divided into hundreds of enumeration blocks, each covering a manageable number of households. In the initial days, officials are focusing on mapping and verifying these blocks to avoid duplication or omission before beginning full-scale surveys.
Census 2027 is notable for its increased reliance on digital technology. Enumerators are equipped with mobile devices to record and upload data in real-time, reducing paperwork and improving data accuracy. In addition, a self-enumeration option was made available to residents earlier this month, allowing households to submit their details online. However, officials noted that participation in self-enumeration has been limited so far, and field verification remains essential.
Residents who have already completed the self-enumeration process will need to provide their reference ID to enumerators during visits for validation.
The upcoming census carries added significance as it follows the postponement of the 2021 Census due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected to play a key role in policy planning, allocation of resources, and implementation of welfare schemes across the country.
