Haryana targets 100% coverage in Census 2027; 87,450 field personnel estimated for digital population count

Dr. Sumita Misra directs Deputy Commissioners to prevent omissions and double counting, ensure strict accountability; 70,000 enumeration blocks planned across the state

Chandigarh, October 12 – Setting an uncompromising target of 100 per cent population coverage, the Haryana government on Monday directed district administrations to ensure that not a single individual or household is left out of Census 2027, calling for strict accountability, intensive field supervision and timely preparations to prevent omissions, double counting and inaccuracies in the nationwide exercise.

With the first phase of the Census successfully completed across 51,907 house listing blocks, Haryana is now preparing for the second phase of population enumeration, which is expected to involve an estimated 87,450 enumerators and supervisors, including reserve personnel, across approximately 70,000 enumeration blocks.

Financial Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, who is also the State Nodal Officer for Census 2027, issued the directions at a one-day conference of Principal Census Officers at Haryana Niwas here today.

Describing Census 2027 as a major national responsibility directly linked to nation-building, development planning and effective governance, Dr. Misra said the credibility of the exercise would depend on accurate enumeration, clearly defined administrative responsibilities and effective district-level supervision.

"The quality of Census data depends significantly on the seriousness, leadership and field supervision at the district level," she said, emphasizing that Deputy Commissioners would play a decisive role in ensuring the accuracy and credibility of the exercise. She directed Deputy Commissioners to personally monitor preparations, conduct regular reviews with Charge Officers and identify potential operational difficulties well before population enumeration begins.

Dr. Misra made it clear that Census operations must be treated as a priority assignment rather than an additional departmental responsibility. She called for greater ownership of preparations, clearly defined responsibilities and strict adherence to prescribed timelines.

"There must be no compromise on coverage, accuracy and confidentiality," she said, directing district administrations to prepare special operational plans for difficult-to-reach areas, rapidly expanding residential settlements, high-rise buildings, urban slums and localities with substantial migrant populations.She stressed that technology and available administrative information should be used to identify potential coverage gaps, prevent duplication and strengthen field-level monitoring.

According to the operational roadmap presented at the conference, the second phase will cover an estimated 70,000 enumeration blocks across Haryana's 23 districts, comprising 6,522 villages and 88 towns. The exercise will involve approximately 74,800 enumerators and 12,650 supervisors, including reserve personnel, working across 203 census charges under the supervision of 34 Principal Census Officers.

A major highlight of the forthcoming exercise will be the use of digital technology for population enumeration, with dedicated mobile applications, online self-enumeration and a centralised monitoring system designed to improve efficiency, transparency and data accuracy.Dr. Misra also called for strict scrutiny of requests seeking exemption from Census duties, including those submitted by personnel who had already performed assignments during the first phase.

She emphasised that the selection of competent personnel, timely appointments and comprehensive training would be crucial to the success of the exercise. Training activities have commenced with the conference of Principal Census Officers and will subsequently extend to Charge Officers, Master Trainers, Field Trainers, Enumerators and Supervisors to familiarise them with prescribed procedures, digital applications and operational responsibilities. She directed Charge Officers to maintain regular communication with field personnel and conduct weekly meetings with supervisors to identify operational problems and ensure their timely resolution.

The FCR also placed particular emphasis on the welfare and operational preparedness of Census personnel, directing district administrations to ensure adequate training facilities, security arrangements, logistical assistance and administrative support.

She called for the prompt clearance of pending honorarium payments through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS), stressing that personnel engaged in the exercise should not face avoidable difficulties. Under the financial norms presented at the conference, enumerators and supervisors are entitled to a combined honorarium of Rs. 25,000 for the two phases, comprising Rs. 9,000 for houselisting operations and Rs. 16,000 for population enumeration.

Recognising public participation as essential to the success of the exercise, Dr. Misra directed Deputy Commissioners to launch extensive awareness campaigns and promptly counter rumours and misinformation through factual communication. The government plans to use social media, educational institutions, gram panchayats, Resident Welfare Associations, wall writings and traditional public announcements to reach households across urban and rural Haryana.Major public gatherings, including the Gita Jayanti and Surajkund fairs, will also be used to spread awareness about Census 2027 and encourage citizens to participate in self-enumeration.

Dr. Misra stressed that the confidentiality of personal information collected during the Census must be strictly protected in accordance with the Census Act, 1948, and prescribed procedures.She called for effective coordination among the Revenue, Education, Police, Health, Women and Child Development, Urban Local Bodies, Panchayati Raj institutions, Information Technology and Public Relations departments to prevent administrative bottlenecks and ensure uninterrupted field operations.

"The success of Census 2027 will ultimately be reflected in the quality of the data produced," she said, underscoring that effective district-level leadership would determine the credibility of the exercise.

 Director of Census Operations, Haryana, Dr. Lalit Jain, briefed officials on the technical and operational preparations and said Census 2027 would be India's first fully digital Census.He explained that enumerators would collect population information through dedicated mobile applications on smartphones, while the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) would facilitate the monitoring of field operations, administrative progress and coordination among Census functionaries. Under the schedule presented at the conference, citizens will be able to submit their information online through the Self-Enumeration Portal from January 10 to January 24, 2027.

House-to-house population enumeration will begin on January 25 and continue until February 28, followed by a five-day revisional round from March 1 to March 5 to identify omissions, rectify discrepancies and ensure comprehensive coverage. The Census reference date and time have been fixed at 00:00 hours on March 1, 2027. Even households opting for self-enumeration will undergo subsequent verification by enumerators through household visits. Supervisors will verify 20 percent of records, while Charge Officers will be able to flag entries requiring further field verification.

The conference also featured technical sessions covering population enumeration procedures, questionnaires, digital applications, the Self-Enumeration Portal, statutory provisions and arrangements for enumeration in special areas.

Additional Chief Secretary, SEWA Department, Dr G. Anupama; Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, Vijyendra Kumar; Director, Women and Child Development Department, Dr Priyanka Soni; Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and senior officers of Census   Departments were present in the meeting.