Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government gazette has officially announced that the population census will be conducted in the state starting from July 17. The census, originally scheduled for 2021 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now set to commence.
The first phase of the population census will be conducted for 45 days, continuing until August 30. Information will be collected about houses, buildings, and facilities available in households from April 1 to September 30. Following this phase, the actual census enumeration will begin in February next year, when social and economic information of individuals will be gathered.
Tamil Nadu census 2026: Digital census for the first time
For the first time in independent India, all census work is being conducted digitally. The central government launched four digital platforms and icons for the census in Delhi yesterday. These platforms include the House Listing Block Creator, HLOA mobile phone app, Self Enumeration Portal, and Census Management and Monitoring System. Citizens can use these platforms in 16 languages. Government officials are being deployed to carry out the census work.
Questions to be asked
During the first phase, enumerators will ask residents 33 questions covering various aspects of household composition and amenities. Questions will include details about who lives in the houses, how many vehicles are owned by the household, and what facilities are available in the house. A question about the staple food consumed by the family will also be included.
Background
The population census is conducted once every 10 years. The last nationwide census was held in 2011. The 2021 census was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, the central government announced that the population census would be conducted in two phases across the country.
Caste census demand
Alongside the general census, there have been persistent demands that caste-wise census work should also be conducted quickly. The gazette announcement did not specify whether caste enumeration would be included in the upcoming exercise.