Bhubaneswar : India’s preparations for the landmark 2027 National Census have taken a significant step forward as the Directorate of Census Operations rolled out an extensive pre-test exercise across four locations in Odisha. This pilot study is aimed at assessing the digital platforms, field protocols, and enumeration techniques that will underpin the country’s first-ever fully digital census.
The trial has begun in Ward 22 of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Ward 17 of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), 20 revenue villages under Tentulikhunti tehsil in Nabarangpur district, and 44 villages under Thakurmunda tehsil in Mayurbhanj district. These zones were strategically selected to cover a balanced mix of dense urban pockets and varied rural environments.
Enumerators and supervisors have already reached the field, conducting household and population surveys using handheld digital devices instead of paper schedules. According to officials, this trial run will help identify gaps in the workflow, gauge how robust the digital system is under different conditions, and determine if further training is required for ground personnel.
Speaking to the media, Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Director of Census Operations in Odisha, noted that all field staff have undergone comprehensive training on digital data entry, mobile application usage, and verification protocols. He underlined that this preliminary exercise is vital for ensuring a seamless rollout once the nationwide enumeration begins.
“The entire process will be digital. Several applications have been developed, and they are being tested across four designated zones. I urge residents to extend full cooperation to the field teams,” Kalyan said.
The 2027 census represents a major technological shift for India, marking the transition to complete digital enumeration. Insights gathered from this Odisha pre-test will be used to refine the methodology, fine-tune digital tools, and strengthen the system’s overall reliability as the country prepares for one of its most significant data-gathering missions.
