Varanasi Division Initiates Groundwork for India's First Fully Digital Census-2027
As preparations accelerate for the country's inaugural fully digital Census-2027, the Varanasi division has commenced extensive groundwork. This census will mark India's 16th national census and the eighth since Independence, recognized as the most comprehensive source of primary data at village, city, and ward levels.
Review Meeting and Digital Framework
Chief Principal Census Officer and Director of Census Operations Directorate, Uttar Pradesh, Sheetal Verma, reviewed preparations for Census-2027 on Monday with the divisional commissioner of Varanasi and District Magistrates of all four districts. The census will be conducted in two phases: house listing and housing enumeration from May 22 to June 20 across Uttar Pradesh, followed by population enumeration nationwide in February 2027.
Census-2027 will be executed entirely through digital means, introducing a self-enumeration option for citizens. From May 7 to May 21, 15 days prior to field work commencement, individuals can fill in census details using an online questionnaire via a self-enumeration portal and mobile application. To ensure complete coverage, digital applications will prepare GIS-based maps and enumeration blocks for all urban bodies and villages.
Data Collection and Training Initiatives
During the meeting, the Director of Census Operations, Uttar Pradesh, delivered a detailed presentation on the census process, timeline, and action plan. Extensive discussions focused on strategies for efficient and successful census execution. Verma emphasized that the census will gather detailed data on social, economic, and housing conditions, serving as a foundation for future development planning and policy formulation, crucial for strengthening infrastructure planning.
Enumerators will collect 33 categories of information during house listing, including building usage, construction materials, number of rooms, ownership status, availability of toilets, main source of lighting, cooking fuel, LPG/PNG connections, staple cereals consumed, and household assets like phones, vehicles, televisions, and internet connectivity.
Phased training for officers and staff involved in census work will begin on February 15. Deployment estimates include approximately 10,000 personnel in Varanasi district, about 11,000 in Jaunpur, nearly 9,000 in Ghazipur, and around 5,000 in Chandauli.
Emphasis on Preparation and Transparency
Divisional Commissioner S. Rajalingam highlighted the importance of training, directing all District Magistrates to ensure effective arrangements with a focus on selecting suitable trainers. Officials were instructed to complete all necessary preparations well in advance to guarantee that Census-2027 is conducted in a time-bound, transparent, and error-free manner.
