Census 2027: Phase 1 of house-listing to conclude by September 14 in West Bengal, says West Bengal In Charge Director Nikhil Pawan Kalyan

Speaking to ANI, Nikhil Kalyan noted that nearly two lakh enumerators were engaged in Phase 1 of the census in West Bengal. He further mentioned that following the completion of the house-listing phase, the second phase of the census will begin in the state from February 2027.

"... From 1-15 August, self-enumeration was carried out in West Bengal. Starting from August 16, house-to-house listing operations began and will continue until 14th September. Naearly about 2 lakh enumerators have been engaged. After that, the 2nd Phase (Population Census) will be started from February 2027 in West Bengal," Kalyan told ANI.

Earlier, the intent of the government to conduct the Population Census 2027 was notified in the Gazette of India on June 16, 2025. The Union Cabinet approved a financial outlay of Rs 11,718.24 crore for its implementation.

The Phase I (House listing and Housing) Census is scheduled between April and September 2026. It will be held over a period of 30 days in each state and UT, as per the convenience of the state and the UT governments. There will also be an option of self-enumeration during 15 days just before the 30 days of house-to-house HLO work.

This phase gathers detailed information on housing conditions, availability of amenities, and assets possessed by households, while also creating the essential frame for the subsequent phase.

However, Phase II (Population Enumeration) is scheduled for February 2027 and will focus on capturing detailed demographic, socio-economic, cultural, migration, and fertility-related information of individuals across households.

As decided by the CCPA, enumeration of Castes will also be done during the second phase of the Census. For Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of Jammu and Kashmir and states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, Phase II will be conducted during September 2026. (ANI)