Korba, India: Preparations for India’s upcoming 2027 Census have begun at the district level in Korba, with authorities planning to deploy nearly 2,500 school teachers to assist in the massive data-collection exercise. Officials say this will be the first fully digital census conducted in the country.
According to district officials, the last census was conducted in 2011, when Korba’s population was recorded at around 1.2 million (12 lakh). Current estimates suggest the district’s population has now grown to approximately 1.6 million (16 lakh).
Fully Digital Process
Unlike previous censuses that relied on paper forms, the 2027 Census will be conducted entirely through smartphones and digital applications. Enumerators will prepare a list of houses in the first phase and collect information digitally during household visits.
Officials said enumerators will also receive mobile and internet allowances as part of their honorarium. Multiple training sessions are being organized to prepare staff for the digital system, and the first phase of training has already been completed.
Data Collection on 33 Parameters
This time, census officials will gather information across 33 different parameters from the head of each household. The questionnaire will include detailed information such as:
- Caste details
- Number of family members
- Ownership of two-wheelers and four-wheelers
- Type of flooring in the house
- Availability of toilets
- Source of electricity
- LPG connection
- Access to television and internet
- Kitchen facilities and other living conditions
Authorities say the new census will be more comprehensive and detailed than previous ones.
Nearly 3.78 Lakh Houses to Be Covered
During the 2011 Census, Korba district had around 280,000 houses. Due to population growth and family divisions, officials estimate that enumerators will now need to visit around 378,000 houses, making the exercise significantly larger.
Each enumerator is expected to survey about 200 households on average.
Census to Begin on May 31
Additional Census Officer M.S. Kanwar said preparations are underway and the census process in the district is scheduled to begin on May 31, 2027. Further training sessions for enumerators will be conducted in the coming weeks to ensure smooth implementation of the digital process.
Officials believe the digital approach will help improve accuracy, reduce paperwork, and speed up data processing, though the scale of the operation remains a significant challenge for the district administration.