As preparations for Census 2027 gather pace, Director of Census Operations for Nagaland, Dr Keneilhoutuolie Miachieo, has appealed against attempts to manipulate census data, saying advances in digital technology and verification systems have made it increasingly difficult to submit false information without detection.
“At this age, thinking we can manipulate data without getting noticed are long gone,” Miachieo told Mokokchung Times in an interview.
His remarks come amid ongoing public discussions on the accuracy of population figures in Nagaland and concerns that misconceptions surrounding the census may influence how some people respond to the exercise.
Miachieo said the digital census will rely not only on mobile applications but also on detailed digital mapping and multiple layers of verification.
“When we say digital, it is not just the app but even mapping is very important,” he said.
He explained that census maps are first verified by district administrations before being digitized and uploaded into the system, reducing the possibility of overlapping enumeration blocks and duplicate entries.
“The possibility of double counting decreases,” he said.
The Census Director said information collected during the exercise would be scrutinized at multiple levels and that discrepancies could be reviewed even after data collection.
“We have checks at various levels so it does not get over with just data collection for one time. We can revert back to the enumerator,” he said, adding that verification mechanisms are already in place.
He also referred to reports about new house construction that may be linked to misunderstandings about the census process.
“We have seen in social media, unauthenticated reports about construction of new houses,” he said.
“I think in some cases, some people have misconceptions. They are doing something which is not necessary, if they are building houses solely for census purpose.”
Miachieo said technological advancements have significantly improved the ability of authorities to verify information.
“In this technological age, the scale of mapping and computing is so unimaginable,” he said.
He warned that attempts to provide false information would likely be exposed through inconsistencies in responses collected during enumeration.
Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, the house-listing operation, is scheduled to begin in July 2026, while the second phase involving individual demographic data collection will take place in February 2027.
According to Miachieo, the February phase will collect information on age, gender, educational status, employment and other demographic indicators that will help build a comprehensive demographic profile of the state.
The digital census will operate in both online and offline modes. Enumerators will use a mobile application linked to digital maps, allowing them to collect information even in areas without internet connectivity.
“They collect the data and keep on saving. Once they get it rechecked, they will have to sync the data with the server. That is when they need internet connection,” Miachieo explained.
He said a test conducted in Noklak district demonstrated that the system could function effectively even in remote areas.
To support the exercise, the state government has deployed more than 6,100 census personnel across Nagaland. The workforce will include over 1,000 supervisors in addition to enumerators, district officials and officers at various administrative levels.
Before enumeration begins, the department also plans to engage with more than 1,600 rural and urban administrative units across the state through awareness and outreach programs.
He mentioned that they plan on reaching out to 1611 villages and 39 notified towns.
“We are trying to ensure that no house and no person is left out. That is why self-enumeration is there. They can enlist their house,” Miachieo said.
Addressing public concerns about how individuals living outside Nagaland will be counted, Miachieo clarified that census enumeration is based on a person’s place of usual residence.
Students and government employees residing outside the state for education or work will generally be counted where they are living at the time of enumeration.
“For employees, they should enroll in places where they are employed. Basically, it is a count of, at this moment, how many are living in this place and how many in India,” he said.
Seasonal migrants, however, may be counted differently depending on the duration of their stay.
“Paddy cultivators and all, they come for some weeks, so, they may be treated as casual visitors. But if some are coming here and staying for some months like in a brick kiln, stone crushers etc., they will be enrolled here,” he explained.
When asked if there are any consequences or penalty for manipulating the data, Miachieo said that providing false information during the census is an offence under the Census Act, 1948, which prescribes penalties for knowingly furnishing incorrect information or obstructing census officials. He also said that neglect of duty, tampering with information by census officials are offences.
“Similarly, providing wrong information by public is also an offence. It binds both. Providing right information is an obligatory duty of the public,” he added.
“Nowadays technology has penetrated so much whether it’s in government sector or in personal life. We are all in some ways linked to metaverse whether it’s for banking, LPG connections, job cards, ration cards,” he said.
Describing the operation as one of the largest administrative exercises undertaken in the state, Miachieo appealed for public cooperation.
“We are counting on the wisdom and cooperation, from apex organisations to village and colony leaders,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the exercise, he said Census 2027 would provide accurate and reliable data for the state.
“Confident that we are going to achieve accurate data,” he said.