Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) April 16: The houselisting phase of Census 2027 has commenced in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, marking the transition from self-enumeration to field data collection, with enumerators set to visit households across the region until May 15, 2026.
The census exercise is being carried out in two stages, with Phase I focusing on the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO), followed by Phase II, which will cover Population Enumeration. Officials confirmed that the current phase will involve collecting detailed information on household assets and amenities.
The houselisting operation, which began on April 16, 2026, follows the completion of the self-enumeration stage in the islands. During this phase, designated enumerators will conduct door-to-door visits to gather data from each household.
As part of the process, enumerators will map their assigned areas, prepare notional layouts where required, and assign building numbers in locations where systematic numbering is not already in place. They will also record information on both residential and non-residential buildings, including their usage.
The Directorate of Census Operations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has undertaken preparatory measures ahead of the fieldwork. Director Purva Garg chaired a review meeting with Principal Census Officers and Charge Census Officers to assess readiness and ensure that the exercise is carried out within the stipulated timeline.
Officials have emphasised the importance of accurate data collection, noting that the information gathered during this phase will play a crucial role in future planning and the formulation of government welfare schemes. Residents have been urged to cooperate fully with enumerators and provide correct information when approached.
The administration has also issued an advisory cautioning the public against misinformation related to the census process. It clarified that officials involved in enumeration will not request identity documents, bank details, OTPs or any financial information.
Authorities reiterated that all data collected during the census will remain confidential and will be protected under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948. The assurance aims to address concerns regarding data security and misuse.
The houselisting phase is expected to cover all parts of the islands over the next 30 days, forming the foundation for the subsequent population enumeration stage. Officials said the success of the exercise depends largely on public participation and cooperation during field visits.
With the transition into the second stage of operations, the Census 2027 exercise in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has entered a critical phase, focusing on building a comprehensive database for administrative and developmental planning.
