Tripura: Census 2027 first phase to be launched tomorrow

The first phase of Census 2027, the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO), will begin in Tripura on Saturday (August 1) and continue across the state till August 30, officials said on Friday.

Director of Census Operations, Tripura, Ratan Biswas, said that the first component of the initial phase, the Self‑Enumeration (SE) process, commenced on July 17 and concluded on Friday (July 31). Self‑Enumeration, under which citizens furnish their household details online, is an integral part of the Houselisting and Housing Census.

“More than 8,000 enumerators, assisted by supervisors, will visit every household across all eight districts of Tripura to carry out the Houselisting and Housing Census,” Biswas told the media. He said that the first phase of Census 2027 has already been completed in most states and J&K across the country.

According to the official, more than 50,000 families in Tripura have completed Self‑Enumeration through the official Census Self‑Enumeration portal. The field operations for the Houselisting and Housing Census will begin on Saturday (August 1) and continue till August 30, during which enumerators will conduct door‑to‑door visits to collect information from households.

Households that did not opt for the Self‑Enumeration facility will be covered during the physical visits by enumerators, Biswas said. He explained that the first phase primarily focuses on collecting information related to the type of houses, household composition, civic amenities and assets owned by families. The survey consists of 33 notified questions grouped under four broad sections.

The Director of Census Operations said that all information collected under the Census Act, 1948, would remain 100 per cent confidential and secure. He added that the Census authorities have adopted the highest standards of digital encryption and data protection, ensuring that the information collected cannot be leaked or misused for any purpose other than statistical analysis and development planning.

Biswas also clarified that citizens are not required to produce any identity proof or official documents while providing information to the enumerators. He said that the District Magistrates and Collectors of all eight districts, along with the Municipal Commissioner of the Agartala Municipal Corporation, have been appointed as the Principal Census Officers and would supervise the entire Census operation in their respective jurisdictions.

Another senior official said that the second phase of the Census, involving Population Enumeration, would be conducted in February 2027. During this phase, enumerators and supervisors will collect detailed information about every individual, including demographic, social and economic particulars.

Officials said Census 2027 is being conducted using digital technology for the first time in the country’s history, with data collection being carried out through a dedicated mobile application while retaining the traditional door‑to‑door enumeration process to ensure comprehensive, accurate and inclusive coverage.

During the Houselisting and Housing Census phase, detailed information relating to housing conditions, household characteristics, availability of civic amenities and assets possessed by households will be collected through a structured questionnaire comprising 33 notified questions.

Officials reiterated that all information collected under the Census Act, 1948, is treated as strictly confidential and is used exclusively for statistical purposes, policy formulation and development planning. They appealed to residents across the state to actively participate in the Census exercise and extend full cooperation to enumerators and supervisors during their field visits to ensure the successful completion of the nationwide exercise.