Telangana Launches Pre-Test for National Population Census 2027

The pre-test for the first phase of the National Population Census 2027 in Telangana is set to begin on November 10, 2023, and will run until November 30, 2023. This initiative, which coincides with a similar exercise nationwide, will take place in select areas including Thipparthi mandal in Nalgonda district, Pinapaka mandal in Khammam district, and Ramachandrapuram within the GHMC limits of Hyderabad.

During this period, residents will have the opportunity to submit their details digitally through a self-enumeration window, open from November 1 to 7. The primary objective of this pre-test is to assess crucial components of the forthcoming Census, such as questionnaire design, data collection processes, logistics, training protocols, printing requirements, and quality checks for the data collected.

Preparations for a Digital Census

This pre-test marks an important step toward implementing a fully digital enumeration system, as highlighted by the Centre’s announcement allowing online submission of personal information. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernize Census operations. The Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India, Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, has communicated with the Telangana Chief Secretary, K. Ramakrishna Rao, requesting the state’s cooperation to facilitate the exercise in the identified areas.

The Union Home Ministry has invoked Section 17A of the Census Act, 1948, to authorize this pre-test. According to the notification issued by Narayan, the pre-test will function as a mock exercise aimed at identifying operational gaps, testing digital systems, and refining procedures ahead of the full-scale Census scheduled for April 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027.

Officials anticipate that the 2027 Census will be a significant milestone, marking India’s first digital Census, which will also include the enumeration of caste data for the first time since Independence. The Census will be conducted in two main phases: the Houselisting Operation (HLO) and Population Enumeration (PE). The initial phase will focus on collecting data about housing conditions, assets, and amenities, while the second phase will gather demographic, socio-economic, and cultural information about each household.

Logistical Details and Staffing

The Population Enumeration is expected to commence on February 1, 2027, with March 1, 2027 serving as the reference date for most states, including Telangana. The nationwide Census will involve over 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors, supported by approximately 1.3 lakh Census officials, making it one of the largest administrative exercises globally. This will be India’s 16th Census overall and the eighth since Independence, following the last Census conducted in 2011, which was postponed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pre-test will feature a digital questionnaire consisting of 34 questions, which respondents can complete entirely online or via mobile platforms. A team of 200 personnel will be engaged for this process in Telangana, including 40 supervisors and 160 enumerators. Each enumerator is expected to cover around 700 households. Most of the field staff will be recruited from government teachers, with others drawn from local panchayat raj, municipal, and revenue departments. Training for all personnel is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 4 at designated MRO offices.

The successful execution of this pre-test will be pivotal in ensuring the efficacy and efficiency of the upcoming Census, setting the stage for a comprehensive demographic assessment that plays a crucial role in national planning and resource allocation.