QR Code System Launched For Census 2027 Field Visits Amid Cyber Fraud Concerns

Amid rising cases of cyber fraud and impersonation of government officials , authorities have introduced a QR code-based verification system for enumerators and supervisors conducting door-to-door visits for Census 2027 in the national capital.

The door-to-door enumeration in Municipal Corporation of Delhi areas will begin on May 16 , and officials said the new system has been designed to improve security, transparency, and public confidence during the exercise.

Under the new mechanism, all enumerators and supervisors deployed for field work will carry an appointment letter and identity card issued by the charge officer. Both documents will carry an embedded QR code that residents can scan using a smartphone to verify the authenticity of the visiting personnel.

Officials from the Office of the Registrar General and Census said the QR code is expected to act as a digital verification layer over physical identity documents. When scanned, it will typically allow residents to confirm key details such as the name, ID number, designation, and assigned enumeration block of the official, along with a secure authentication record linked to the census database .

“If there is any doubt or suspicion, household members can verify the visiting personnel by checking their appointment letter and identity card. They can also scan the QR code printed on these documents to confirm authenticity,” officials said.

The initiative comes in the backdrop of several cyber fraud incidents across the country , where fraudsters impersonate officials using fake documents and digital tricks. Authorities also pointed to rising cases of ‘digital arrest’ scams and fake census-related messages , which have increased public concern over verification of officials.

Officials said the QR-based system will help prevent impersonation fraud , as residents will be able to instantly confirm whether a visitor is genuinely authorised for Census 2027. It also reduces dependence on manual verification and helps avoid confusion caused by forged identity cards.

During the ongoing self-enumeration exercise , officials reported that 93,521 entries were recorded on Monday, including 77,372 completed and 16,149 initiated cases , taking the overall completion rate to 82.73 per cent . Most entries have been reported from North East, South West, and North West Delhi districts.

If households are unable to geo-tag their exact location , they may tag a nearby point instead. Enumerators will later verify such cases using House Listing Block (HLB) maps and self-enumeration IDs during field visits. If no matching record is found, fresh data will be collected.

To ensure supervision, one supervisor will be assigned for every six HLBs , officials said.

The Census office said the layered verification system , combining QR-based authentication, digital records, and field checks, is expected to make the process more reliable while strengthening public trust amid growing concerns over digital fraud and impersonation risks .