Telangana Launches Pre-Test for National Census 2027

The pre-test for the first phase of the National Population Census 2027 in Telangana will commence on November 10, 2023, and run until November 30, 2023. This exercise is part of a nationwide effort and will take place in selected locations, including Thipparthi mandal in Nalgonda district, Pinapaka mandal in Khammam district, and Ramachandrapuram under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits.

Citizens will have the opportunity to submit their personal details digitally through a self-enumeration window from November 1 to 7. The primary aim of this pre-test is to assess key components of the upcoming Census, such as questionnaire design, data collection, logistics, training, and data quality checks. The Indian government is emphasizing a digital and technology-driven enumeration system, allowing citizens to file their information online as part of this initiative.

Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, the Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India, has reached out to K. Ramakrishna Rao, the Chief Secretary of Telangana, requesting the state government’s support to ensure the exercise is conducted smoothly in the designated areas. The Union Home Ministry has invoked Section 17A of the Census Act, 1948, to facilitate this pre-test.

Significance of the Pre-Test

The pre-test serves as a crucial mock exercise to identify any gaps, test the digital systems, and refine procedures in advance of the full-scale Census, which is scheduled to take place from April 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027. Officials have stated that Census 2027 will be a significant milestone as it marks India’s first-ever digital Census. Notably, it will also include the enumeration of caste data, a first since the country gained independence.

The Census will be executed in two major phases: the Houselisting Operation (HLO) and the Population Enumeration (PE). The first phase will focus on recording housing conditions, assets, and amenities, while the second phase will gather demographic, socio-economic, and cultural data for each individual in every household. The Population Enumeration is set to begin on February 1, 2027, with a reference date of March 1, 2027, for most states, including Telangana.

Nationwide, the Census will engage over 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors, supported by approximately 1.3 lakh Census officials. This makes it one of the largest administrative endeavors globally. This Census will be India’s 16th overall and the eighth since gaining independence. The official notification confirming the government’s intention to proceed with the Census was issued on June 16, 2025. The previous Census was conducted in 2011, while the planned Census in 2021 was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Details of the Pre-Test Process

The pre-test will utilize a digital questionnaire comprising 34 questions, which participants will answer entirely through mobile and online platforms. In Telangana, a total of 200 personnel will be involved, including 40 supervisors and 160 enumerators. Each enumerator is tasked with covering around 700 households. Most of the field staff will be drawn from government teaching positions, with additional personnel sourced from the panchayat raj, municipal, and revenue departments. Training for all personnel is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 4 at respective Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) offices.

This pre-test represents a critical step in ensuring the successful implementation of a comprehensive and accurate Census, laying the groundwork for a more informed approach to policy-making and resource allocation in the future.