Haryana Launches Massive Preparations for Census 2027, First Fully Digital Count

Haryana has launched large-scale preparations for Census 2027 , a critical administrative milestone that will shape governance, development planning, and policy decisions for the next decade. Officials emphasized that this exercise goes far beyond routine head-counting, calling it a transformative initiative for the state’s governance framework. At a virtual conference of divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and municipal corporation commissioners , Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi reminded officials that Census 2027 is an opportunity to set standards in administrative efficiency, technological coordination, and data accuracy. “This census is not merely a statistical exercise it is a cornerstone for policy, welfare schemes, and infrastructure planning,” he said, stressing that leaders must ensure meticulous execution.

The state government is preparing for its first fully digital census, a historic shift from paper-based surveys to mobile application-based data collection and online self-enumeration . Citizens will be able to use a self-enumeration portal launching on April 16, 2026 , to pre-fill household data online. Once submitted, they will receive a unique self-enumeration ID , which field enumerators will verify during visits, reducing time on the ground and improving data quality. The House Listing and Housing Census phase is slated from May 1 to May 30, 2026 , marking the start of the state’s phased enumeration approach.

Director of Census Operations Haryana, Lalit Jain , stated that approximately 50,000 House Listing Blocks across 203 rural and urban charges will be covered. More than 50,000 enumerators and 8,000 supervisors will be deployed, supported by a hierarchical training program involving master trainers and field trainers. Officials also outlined a robust plan for inter-departmental coordination, with district census coordination committees facilitating collaboration among revenue, education, police, health, panchayati raj, IT, and public relations departments . Public awareness campaigns will be launched statewide to build trust and encourage citizen participation.

The census will also utilize mobile applications capable of offline operation , ensuring uninterrupted coverage even in areas with low network connectivity. Real-time monitoring dashboards will allow supervisors and district officials to track progress continuously. Beyond Haryana, Census 2027 at the national level is being seen as one of the most significant data operations India has attempted, with digital enumeration, self-reporting, and technology-enabled monitoring making it a historic exercise. Experts note that the census provides critical demographic, socio-economic, and migration data underpinning planning in education, healthcare, urban development, and disaster management. Unlike sample surveys, the census covers every household and individual, making it indispensable for evidence-based policymaking.

While the digital approach promises greater accuracy and efficiency, challenges remain, including data privacy, digital literacy, and cybersecurity , requiring strict safeguards to protect sensitive information and ensure public confidence. Officials emphasized that Census 2027 will determine future resource allocation, reveal demographic trends, and guide targeted welfare programs, such as addressing gender imbalances or planning infrastructure projects. Leaders at all levels have been urged to treat this census not as routine reporting, but as a defining moment in Haryana’s journey toward inclusive and data-driven governance , where effective leadership, diligent supervision, and strong community cooperation are essential to success.