The first phase of Census 2027 commenced in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on April 1, with the Union Territory included in the initial batch of states and UTs to roll out the Houselisting and Housing Census through a newly introduced self-enumeration process.
The exercise marks the beginning of a key national data collection effort in the archipelago, where residents will participate in recording household and housing details digitally as part of the first phase of the census.
The process formally began with the self-enumeration of Lieutenant Governor D K Joshi, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Islands Development Agency. The development underscores the administration’s adoption of digital tools in conducting census operations for the first time in India’s census history.
A census team led by Purva Garg, who also serves as Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, visited Lok Niwas to carry out the self-enumeration exercise. The team included Kamaleshwar Rao S and Chandra Mohan Joshi, who are overseeing the implementation of census activities in the territory.
Officials briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the procedures involved in the self-enumeration process, including the use of digital platforms for data submission, as well as the broader status of census operations being undertaken across the islands.
The self-enumeration system allows individuals to directly provide their household information through an online interface, marking a shift from traditional methods of data collection. Authorities indicated that this approach is part of a wider effort to modernise census operations and improve data accuracy and efficiency.
The presence of senior administrative officials during the launch highlighted the significance of the exercise, which forms the foundation for demographic planning, resource allocation, and policy formulation at both national and regional levels.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, being among the first regions to initiate the process, are expected to play a key role in demonstrating the implementation of digital census systems in geographically dispersed and logistically challenging environments.
Officials stated that the houselisting and housing census will continue in phases, with residents encouraged to participate actively in the self-enumeration process to ensure comprehensive and accurate data collection.
