Preparations for the upcoming Census of India 2027 have formally begun in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the first meeting of the Union Territory-level Census Coordination Committee held this week. The meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar, brought together senior officials from across departments to review the preparatory roadmap and assess the role of local administration in supporting the country’s first fully digital Census.
Director of Census Operations, Purva Garg, presented a detailed outline of the proposed Census calendar and the innovations that will mark the 2027 exercise. She explained that the Census will be conducted entirely through digital platforms, in two major phases: the House Listing and Housing Census (HLO) followed by the Population Enumeration (PE). The transition to digital methods represents a significant change from previous exercises, designed to improve efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
As part of preparatory measures, a pre-test of House Listing and Housing Census is scheduled to be conducted between October and November 2025 in selected areas of all three districts of the islands. This trial run will help identify logistical and technical challenges before the nationwide enumeration begins. The pre-test is expected to be crucial in testing digital tools, training enumerators, and refining processes in geographically challenging areas such as the islands.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary highlighted the importance of ensuring inclusivity, especially in tribal regions, where access and communication barriers often complicate enumeration. He emphasised that no community should be left out of the process, calling for careful planning and field-level monitoring to secure complete coverage.
In response, the Director of Census Operations assured that all necessary steps will be taken to guarantee inclusivity and accuracy. She noted that the digital format will allow for faster data collection and analysis while reducing errors associated with manual entry. The use of tablets or smartphones by enumerators will also enable real-time monitoring of progress and help resolve issues on the ground more efficiently.
The Census 2027 exercise is expected to be one of the most significant data-gathering operations undertaken in India, shaping policy and planning for the following decade. In the islands, where unique demographic and geographic conditions prevail, the data will provide valuable insights into housing, population distribution, literacy, and socio-economic patterns. The administration is likely to use the results to frame targeted welfare measures and development strategies suited to the region’s needs.
Officials noted that coordination between departments will be critical to the smooth execution of the Census. The UT-level committee is tasked with monitoring progress, ensuring timely availability of resources, and addressing challenges specific to island territories. With connectivity, terrain, and weather posing potential obstacles, the success of the Census here will depend on meticulous planning and sustained coordination across agencies.
The move towards a digital Census is in line with broader national initiatives promoting the use of technology in governance. By shifting to electronic data collection, the government aims to reduce delays in publishing results and improve the reliability of information used for policymaking. For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it will also mean adapting to logistical realities such as ensuring digital devices are functional in remote areas with limited connectivity.
The first preparatory meeting has set the stage for a series of activities leading up to the 2027 enumeration. As the UT administration begins to gear up for this nationwide exercise, the emphasis will remain on training, infrastructure readiness, and ensuring that every household and community across the islands is counted.
The Census has always been regarded as the backbone of developmental planning in India, and the upcoming digital Census marks a transformative step in that direction. For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, early preparations are key to ensuring that the unique challenges of the region do not stand in the way of complete and accurate enumeration.
