For the first time, the entire enumeration process will be 100 per cent digital with all the data collection to be done digitally, including by physical enumerators who will record the data on a mobile app instead of the paper based records of the past
The Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu announced that it will conduct the first phase of the India’s 16th National Census in the State over the course of a month starting from August 1, 2026. Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Sundaresh Babu, Chief Principal Census Officer, Tamil Nadu said that the first phase will involve Houselisting and Housing Census.For the first phase, citizens can also opt for the self enumeration using the government portal from July 17 to July 31, 2026. “This is a foundational stage where we collect essential information regarding the household details. It will include 33 questions on household amenities, drinking water, sanitation, electricity internet connectivity, cooking fuel and other factors. The phase will serve as a framework for the deeper population census in the second phase scheduled for February of 2027,” he said. Enumeration processMeanwhile, Babu added that for the first time, the entire enumeration process will be 100 per cent digital with all the data collection to be done digitally, including by physical enumerators who will record the data on a mobile app instead of the paper based records of the past.“We have assigned 200-250 households for each enumerator. They have been selected from different government departments and have been given three full days of training for this process. Every six enumerators will have one supervisor, ” he said. Tamil Nadu has about 1,026 charges- the operational units used to organize and conduct the population count. Each charge will be led by a Charge Officer or Sub-Division Officer. Babu added that about 20 States have already completed phase one of the census and are preparing for phase 2. Published on July 16, 2026
