Telangana starts Census 2027 with 90,000 staff for digital data collection

Telangana will use 90,000 government employees for its Census 2027, a big number compared to previous counts. This is the first time the census will be fully digital.
By Newsroom | Government, Telangana |

Officials in Telangana have begun comprehensive preparations for the Census 2027, marking a significant shift towards a fully digital data collection process. A key meeting on February 20 at the Secretariat brought together state and district officials to discuss administrative, logistical, and training aspects of the upcoming exercise. The focus is on ensuring accurate and complete enumeration across all areas, including remote settlements.

State-level meeting on Census-2027 at Secretariat on February 20 - 1

Personnel Deployment and Training Focus

The state anticipates deploying approximately 90,000 government employees, with a preference for teachers and other civil servants, to serve as enumerators and supervisors during the initial phase of the Census 2027. The Chief Secretary, K Ramakrishna Rao, has emphasized the critical importance of qualitative training for this workforce. This training aims to equip personnel with the necessary skills for the digital census, ensuring successful execution and minimizing errors. The directive for District Collectors to come prepared with detailed information on preliminary arrangements underscores the need for district-level readiness.

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State-level meeting on Census-2027 at Secretariat on February 20 - 2

Digital Census: Challenges and Objectives

Telangana's Census 2027 will be conducted in a fully digital mode. This technological pivot presents specific challenges, requiring officials to ensure that no communities, including those in slums, isolated habitations, or remote areas, are missed during the enumeration process. The objective is to achieve complete coverage and avoid gaps in the data collection. The planning includes the finalization of master trainers and field trainers, along with the organization of intensive three-day training programs for key district-level officials.

State-level meeting on Census-2027 at Secretariat on February 20 - 3

Coordination and Operational Planning

The State-Level Census Coordination Committee (SLCCC) has been actively involved in reviewing the administrative, logistical, and operational arrangements. This coordinated effort involves Municipal Commissioners, who will act as Principal Census Officers, alongside Additional or Deputy Commissioners. The preparation includes defining clear timelines and responsibilities for all involved parties. A conference for District Collectors is planned to further sensitize them to the detailed operational plans and their specific roles.

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National Context and Workforce Scale

Nationally, the Cabinet has approved the scheme for the Census of India 2027, envisioning the deployment of approximately 30 lakh field functionaries. These individuals will undertake data collection, monitoring, and supervision. The Census process will involve household visits for both Houselisting & Housing Census and Population Enumeration. The implementation strategy highlights the use of "Census-as-a-service" (CaaS) to deliver clean, machine-readable data to ministries, employing customized visualization tools for disseminating results. All census functionaries are slated to receive an honorarium for their work, as it will be an addition to their regular duties.

  • Meeting Focus: Planning, coordination mechanisms, and training arrangements for Census 2027.

  • Personnel: Approximately 90,000 government employees in Telangana to be deployed; 30 lakh nationally.

  • Mode: First fully digital Census.

  • Key Personnel: State Chief Secretary, District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, Director of Census.

  • Objective: Smooth and timely conduct, ensuring complete enumeration without gaps.

Expert Analysis

"The transition to a fully digital census is a significant step. It offers the potential for more efficient data processing and analysis, but it also necessitates robust training and infrastructure to ensure inclusivity and accuracy. The emphasis on covering all habitations, particularly remote ones, is crucial for a truly representative count." - Observation from Article 3

"Ensuring that all 30 lakh functionaries are adequately trained for digital data collection is a colossal task. The success of the digital census hinges not just on technology, but on the human element – how effectively these personnel are prepared to use the tools and navigate potential challenges in the field." - Observation from Article 4

Conclusion and Next Steps

The groundwork for Census 2027 is actively underway in Telangana, with a strong emphasis on a digital approach and the mobilization of a substantial government workforce. The state-level meetings serve as a crucial platform for outlining strategies, assigning responsibilities, and addressing the logistical and training needs for this extensive exercise. The clear directives for district officials to prepare comprehensive readiness reports indicate a structured approach to implementation. The national plan, involving a large number of field functionaries and a commitment to delivering actionable data, provides a broader framework for the upcoming census.

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Future steps will likely involve the detailed execution of training programs, the finalization of enumeration teams, and the deployment of technological infrastructure required for the digital census. The success of this ambitious undertaking will depend on effective coordination across all levels of government and the successful training and engagement of the deployed personnel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Telangana doing for Census 2027?
Telangana started preparing for Census 2027 on February 20. They will use 90,000 government workers to collect data using computers and phones, making it the first fully digital census in the state.
Q: Who will work for the Census 2027 in Telangana?
About 90,000 government employees, like teachers, will be trained to collect census data. Nationally, 30 lakh people will be involved.
Q: Why is the Telangana Census 2027 going digital?
The state wants to collect data faster and more accurately using technology. This digital method aims to reach everyone, even in remote areas, to avoid missing any people or homes.
Q: When did Telangana start Census 2027 preparations?
Preparations for Telangana's Census 2027 officially began with a key meeting on February 20, 2024, at the Secretariat.
Q: What is the main goal of the digital census in Telangana?
The main goal is to count every person and home accurately without missing anyone, especially in hard-to-reach places, and to make data processing quicker.