Bhubaneswar, March 18: The first phase of Odisha’s 2026-27 Census, focusing on house listing and housing data collection, will commence on April 16 and run until May 15, 2026.

A self-enumeration option will be available from April 1, 2026, allowing residents to participate online before the door-to-door survey starts.

This initial phase will primarily collect data on housing conditions and asset ownership, while the second phase, involving population enumeration, will be carried out in February 2027.

The census will be conducted in two phases: the first phase, covering housing and asset information (from April 16, 2026), and the second phase, focused on individual population counting (in February 2027).

During the first phase, the survey will gather details on household amenities, such as ownership of TVs, vehicles, and phones, along with general housing conditions. The second phase will focus on the enumeration of individuals.

Self-enumeration (online registration) will be available from April 1 to April 15, 2026, coinciding with the door-to-door survey process.

Over 100,000 workers will be deployed for the survey, which was previously delayed from 2021.

As of early 2026, the estimated population of Odisha is approximately 47.27 million, with a projected growth rate of 0.57% for the year. The state government will provide support for the smooth execution of the census, including the finalization of administrative boundaries for districts and municipalities.