India’s first digital census begins with 15-day self-enumeration phase

New Delhi: The nationwide process for India’s first digital census has officially commenced, marking a major milestone in data collection. As part of the initial phase, a 15-day self-enumeration process will remain active from August 1 to August 15, enabling residents to fill out their census forms online from the comfort of their homes.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner and Principal Census Officer for Kolkata, Smita Pandey, announced that the dedicated self-enumeration portal link became operational at midnight on Friday. Citizens can visit the official portal to complete their digital census form independently.

Upon successful submission, a unique identification code will be generated, which residents must present to census officers during subsequent physical verification visits.

The Kolkata administration is treating this census exercise with high priority due to the significant influx of people moving permanently into the city from various districts and neighboring states.

Across Kolkata’s 144 wards, a total of 8,105 household lists have been prepared. To manage the operation, 8,200 personnel have been deployed, including 1,400 supervisors who will oversee the verification process.

In an innovative educational outreach initiative, 700 government and 300 private schools across the city have been selected to participate. Students in classes 8 through 12 from these institutions will assist in filling out forms and driving awareness among at least ten families each.

Additionally, census teams consisting of five groups per borough will begin visits across Kolkata’s 16 municipal boroughs to guide and manage the process on the ground.