Pre-test for 2027 national census begins in four Odisha regions

The preparations for India’s 2027 National Census have officially moved into action, with the Census Directorate launching a comprehensive pre-test exercise across four selected regions of Odisha. This pilot initiative, considered a crucial step before the nationwide census, is designed to evaluate the digital processes, field mechanisms, and data-collection tools that will be used in the country’s first fully digital census.

The pre-test has commenced in ward number 22 of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), ward number 17 of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), 20 revenue villages under Tentulikhunti tehsil in Nabarangpur district, and 44 revenue villages under Thakurmunda tehsil in Mayurbhanj district. These areas have been chosen to represent urban as well as diverse rural field conditions.

Enumerators and supervisors have already been deployed, and they will be responsible for collecting household and demographic data using digital devices instead of traditional paper forms. Officials said the exercise will help test the reliability of the digital system, identify field-level challenges, and assess the training needs of census personnel.

Addressing a press conference, Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Director of the Directorate of Census Operations, said that detailed training has been provided to all enumerators and supervisors on digital data entry, app usage, and verification protocols. He emphasised that the pre-test is essential to ensure smooth execution when the full-scale national population count begins.

“The entire census will be carried out in digital mode. We have developed a few digital applications. The testing will be done in four zones. I request everyone to cooperate with the officials during the survey,” Kalyan said.

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The 2027 census will mark a major technological leap for India, shifting to digital enumeration completely for the first time. The findings of the pre-test will guide improvements in methodology and help refine the digital tools to ensure accuracy, reliability, and efficiency in the historic nationwide exercise.