Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Census Operations, Odisha has begun the Pre-Test for the House Listing and Housing Census—marking the first phase of the Census of India 2027. The exercise, conducted under the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, is being carried out in close coordination with the Odisha State Government.
The Pre-Test is underway in 20 revenue villages of Tentulikhunti Tahasil in Nabarangpur district, 44 revenue villages of Thakurmunda Tahasil in Mayurbhanj district, as well as in Ward No. 22 of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Ward No. 17 of Cuttack Municipal Corporation. The field operation, which began on 10 November, will continue until 30 November 2025.
During this period, trained enumerators will visit every household in the selected areas to assign house numbers and collect detailed information as part of the housing census. This preparatory exercise will help fine-tune the methodologies and tools that will be used during the full-scale Census 2027.
A key highlight of the upcoming census is its shift to digital operations. For the first time, the Census of India will integrate a digital data collection system and introduce a Self-Enumeration (SE) Portal, enabling individuals to securely submit their household information online. In addition, every house will be geo-tagged through a Digital Layout Mapping App, enhancing accuracy and enabling faster processing and dissemination of census data.
Enumerators, working under the direction of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, will collect a wide range of details—including housing conditions, availability of amenities and facilities, and the assets used by families—to support comprehensive and reliable national data.
The Directorate of Census Operations, Odisha has appealed to residents of the selected areas to extend full cooperation to the local administration and field staff engaged in this crucial national exercise, which forms the backbone of future developmental planning and policy-making.
