India’s Census 2027 begins after 16-year gap: Enumerators start mapping homes in Kerala

School teachers serving as census enumerators stepped out on Wednesday with building registers, maps, and identification cards as the Houselisting and Housing Census — the first phase of Census 2027 — commenced across Kerala. The exercise, which began on the Kariyavattom campus in Ward 4, marks the start of a socially and politically consequential nationwide enumeration after a 16-year hiatus. The five-year delay was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and other administrative hurdles.

India’s political, economic, and social landscape has changed drastically since the last census in 2011. The new demographic and socio-economic contours that emerge after the data is compiled will help shape future policymaking, including caste-based affirmative action, redrawing of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies, and distribution of national resources among states.

One enumerator, a teacher, noted that nearly 200 buildings and 20 houses fall under her responsibility. “We underwent three days of training before fieldwork began. At present, we are numbering and verifying the buildings. Housing details will be collected in the coming days through the HLO application,” she said.

While the exercise started smoothly, locked houses emerged as the biggest challenge. Many residents were away at work, requiring enumerators to make repeat visits. “People have generally been cooperative. Our main challenge is finding houses locked during the daytime, particularly newly occupied buildings,” the teacher added.

Another enumerator covering the Pangappara residential area in ward 9 had visited about 15 houses by afternoon and reported a similar experience. “The focus now is on the buildings. In the coming days, household information will also be collected. This exercise is important because it helps understand changes over the past decade and provides updated data for future planning and development,” the teacher said.

The Houselisting and Housing Census records information on building conditions and availability of basic amenities. The exercise will continue until July 30, after which the Population Enumeration phase of Census 2027 will be undertaken. According to census authorities, the data will help the government assess housing conditions, civic infrastructure, and public amenities, while providing an updated database for welfare and development programmes.