Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], April 1 (ANI): Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati on Wednesday kicked off the Census 2027 self-enumeration process by submitting his household details online at Lok Bhavan, appealing all residents of the state to participate actively in this historic national exercise, which will be conducted digitally for the first time in India.

The launch programme was attended by Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, Director of Census Operations, Odisha, and Chanchal Rana, Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.

Also Read | Rajasthan IAS Reshuffles: 65 Officers Transferred in Major Overhaul, Tina Dabi Appointed Tonk Collector, Ria Dabi Gets New Posting.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Kambhampati said, "On the commencement of Census 2027, I extend my greetings to the people of Odisha. As the first citizen of Odisha, I have fulfilled my duty by completing my self-enumeration and I urge each one of you to do the same. This important national exercise forms the foundation for planning and development. Therefore, your participation in the house listing phase will ensure that every household is counted and represented. Let us all come together to make this Census accurate, inclusive and successful."

The first phase of Census 2027 begins today and will involve house listing and housing census (HLO), conducted over six months from April to September 2026. For the first time, residents have the option to submit their information online through a self-enumeration portal. Phase I will collect data on housing conditions, household amenities, and assets, while Phase II-Population Enumeration (PE), scheduled for February 2027, will focus on demographic, socio-economic, education, migration, and fertility details, including caste enumeration.

Also Read | Nagaland Dear Lottery Sambad Result Today 1 PM Live: Dear Spark Wednesday Lottery Result of April 1 2026 Declared Online, Watch Lucky Draw Winners List.

The house listing schedule varies across states. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, and Sikkim will carry out house listing from April 16 to May 15, with self-enumeration open from April 1 to 15. Other states, including Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana, will start house listing from May 1 to May 30, while self-enumeration will be conducted from April 16 to April 30.

The Union Government has allocated Rs 11,718.24 crore for Census 2027, which will be conducted digitally through a mobile application available in 16 languages, including Hindi and English.

Census 2027, India's 16th national census and the eighth since Independence, is expected to be the largest such exercise in the world, providing critical data for governance, policy planning, and socio-economic development across the country. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)