The Directorate of Census Operations has announced the schedule for Census 2027 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with data collection set to be carried out in two phases and supported by a digital self-enumeration system for residents.
The exercise will begin with the houselisting and housing census phase, which is scheduled to take place from April 16, 2026, to May 15, 2026. This phase will focus on collecting information related to household assets and amenities. The second phase, population enumeration, will be conducted in February 2027 and will record detailed information about each individual member of households.
Officials said the census process in the islands will incorporate digital tools under the government’s Digital India initiative, aimed at improving the accuracy, efficiency and timeliness of data collection. A key feature of the upcoming census will be the introduction of a self-enumeration facility, allowing residents to submit their household details online before enumerators conduct door-to-door verification.
The self-enumeration window will remain open from April 1, 2026, to April 15, 2026, prior to the start of the houselisting phase. Residents will be able to access a dedicated portal to complete the process. Authorities stated that the online system is designed to provide a secure and flexible option for households to participate in the census at their convenience.
According to officials, any one member of a household can complete the self-enumeration process, which is expected to take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Upon submission, a Self-Enumeration Identification number will be generated and sent via mobile or email. This identification number must be shared with the enumerator during the subsequent visit for verification and final submission of the data.
The Directorate of Census Operations has urged all households in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to make use of the self-enumeration facility within the specified period. Authorities emphasised that early participation will help streamline the enumeration process and reduce the time required for field data collection.
The census, conducted across the country, remains a critical exercise for gathering demographic and socio-economic data used for planning and policy formulation. Officials noted that the adoption of digital tools marks a shift towards modernising the process while maintaining the integrity of data collection.
Enumerators will continue to visit households after the self-enumeration period to verify submitted details and collect information from those who do not use the online system. The administration said all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure smooth conduct of both phases of the census in the islands.
With the timeline now notified, authorities have called for public cooperation to ensure comprehensive data coverage, which forms the basis for development planning and allocation of resources at both regional and national levels.
