Census 2027: Phase-1 to begin in Punjab from May 15; Self-enumeration from April 30
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 27, 2026: A One-Day State Level Conference for Deputy Commissioners and Municipal Corporation Commissioners on Census 2027 – Phase I (House Listing Operations) was successfully convened today at Hotel Mount View, Chandigarh.
The Conference was jointly hosted by the Department of Local Government, Punjab and the Directorate of Census Operations, Punjab under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Punjab, Sh. KAP Sinha.
The Conference aimed at orienting field-level administrative heads for the upcoming Phase I of Census 2027, i.e., House Listing and Housing Census, scheduled to be conducted in Punjab from May 15, 2026 to June 13, 2026. The option of Self-Enumeration will also be available to the public from April 30, 2026 to May 14, 2026, prior to the commencement of House Listing Operations. Phase II of Census 2027 will be conducted in February 2027.
In his inaugural address, the Chief Secretary Sh. KAP Sinha, underscored the national importance of the Census as the cornerstone of evidence-based governance, welfare planning, and equitable resource distribution. Emphasizing transparency, data quality, and strict adherence to timelines, he called upon all officers to ensure meticulous planning and seamless inter-departmental coordination. He stressed that Census 2027 must set new benchmarks in accuracy, digital execution, and administrative discipline.
On the occasion, Chief Secretary also unveiled the Punjabi Logo of Census 2027. He also unveiled the latest updated Revenue Maps (Districts and Tehsils) and Urban Local Bodies Maps of Punjab, prepared for Census purposes.
Meanwhile, Director, Census Operations, Punjab, Dr. Navjot Khosa apprised the officers of the roadmap and strategic framework for Census 2027. She elaborated upon the statutory mandate under the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990, and emphasized strict adherence to uniform national standards, definitions, and procedures.
She emphasized that Phase I would serve as the foundation for Phase II and that the quality, completeness, and accuracy achieved during House Listing Operations would determine the overall success of the Census exercise.
Deputy Commissioners and Municipal Commissioners actively participated in the deliberations and shared district-level preparedness, logistical arrangements, training plans, rural and urban coverage strategies, and coordination mechanisms with local bodies.
Constructive discussions were also held on strengthening monitoring systems, ensuring timely resource mobilization, leveraging central assistance, and maintaining uniformity in implementation across districts.
The Conference concluded with a vote of thanks by Secretary, Local Government, Punjab, Sh. Manjit Singh Brar, who is also the State Nodal Officer for Census.
Reaffirming Punjab’s commitment to conducting a transparent, inclusive, accurate, and technology-driven Census within the prescribed timelines, all officers resolved to discharge their responsibilities with professional integrity, legal compliance, and administrative efficiency to ensure the successful conduct of Census 2027.
Prominent among those present were Secretary, Local Government, Punjab, Sh. Manjit Singh Brar, Director, Census Operations, Punjab, Dr. Navjot Khosa, Director, Local Government, Punjab, Sh. Kulwant Singh, Divisional Commissioners; all Deputy Commissioners; and Municipal Commissioners across the State.