Bhubaneswar, Nov 10: The pilot phase of India’s first-ever digital census officially commenced on Monday, marking a major step toward transforming the country’s population enumeration process. The exercise, which will continue until November 30, is being conducted across four key locations in Odisha — Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, and Nabarangpur.
In Odisha, the selected sites for the pilot census include Ward No. 22 of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Ward No. 17 in Cuttack, Tentulikhunti in Nabarangpur, and Thakur Munda in Mayurbhanj. These areas will serve as testing grounds for the new digital methodology that replaces traditional paper-based data collection with a mobile app-based system.
The initiative aims to test the digital infrastructure, data accuracy, and operational readiness ahead of the full-scale nationwide rollout in 2027. For the first time in the history of the Census, enumerators will record household and demographic information digitally through a dedicated mobile application, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and data precision.
According to officials, nearly 34 lakh teachers across the country will be engaged in conducting this digital census. The move is part of the Central Government’s broader effort to modernise data collection methods and provide real-time access to population statistics.
District-level data gathered during the census will be integrated into a comprehensive digital record system, containing detailed information on villages, towns, administrative units, and urban facilities. The database will also feature extensive social and economic indicators, offering valuable insights for policy formulation and development planning.
Similar pilot projects are being implemented in other Indian states to assess the functionality of digital tools, the preparedness of enumerators, and the robustness of data security mechanisms. Officials have emphasised that the transition to a digital platform will make the 2027 Census more efficient, transparent, and environmentally sustainable by eliminating paper use and streamlining data management.
