Self-enumeration, mobile-based data collection to debut in 2027 headcount
The Director of Census Operations, Nagaland, Dr Zasekuolie Chusi, IAS, along with officers from the Directorate, called on Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, at his chamber in the Nagaland Civil Secretariat on August 7, 2025.
Congratulating the Chief Secretary on his promotion to the State’s top bureaucratic post, Dr Chusi sought “all necessary assistance and guidance” for the forthcoming Census 2027.
In the meeting, the Director informed that Census 2027 will be the 16th in the series and the 8th since India’s Independence. It will be conducted in two phases — the House Listing Operation between April and September 2026, typically completed in 30 days, and the Population Enumeration in February 2027 across the country, excluding snow-bound areas.
Highlighting a major change, Dr Chusi said, “Census 2027 will be the first Digital Census where Enumerators will use mobile phones to collect information during field work. There will also be a provision for self-enumeration by residents, which is a first of its kind in census operations.”
He further informed that all jurisdictional changes in the country will be frozen from January 1, 2026, and the census will be undertaken based on jurisdiction as of December 31, 2025.
Although Census is a Union subject, Dr Chusi noted that its execution is carried out by State machinery, with Deputy Commissioners acting as Principal Census Officers, Administrative Officers as Charge Officers, and Supervisors and Enumerators drawn mainly from the teaching community.
A technological shift will also replace earlier manual mapping methods. “Unlike previous censuses where Enumerators were required to draw a free-hand notional map, in Census 2027 Enumerators will be using geo-referenced digital layout maps, and all buildings and structures will be geo-tagged,” the Director stated.
The Directorate is also planning a pre-test in the coming months in one district, covering both rural and urban areas. The selected district will likely have difficult accessibility and shadow areas in network coverage. This “dress rehearsal” will include all operational aspects such as appointment of officials, training, field work, and payment of honorariums.
The meeting also featured a brief PowerPoint presentation on the processes, preparedness, and timelines of Census 2027 by Assistant Director Mhathung Rangthang.
