By Amrit Pal Sidhu
Bathinda, 16 February 2026
The much-anticipated first phase of the national census is set to take place from April 1 to September 30. This phase, known as the house listing and housing census, will involve a detailed survey of households across the country. The process aims to gather vital data on various aspects of housing and living conditions.
PROGRAM FOR PUNJAB
The first phase of the Population Census 2027, also known as the house listing operations (HLO) phase, will be conducted from 15 May to 13 June 2026 in Punjab. The option for self enumeration shall be operational from 30 April to 14 May 2026 as per the notification
Navjot Khosa, Director of Census Punjab, shared that during this phase of the census, enumerators will gather detailed information about housing characteristics, including the materials used for constructing walls, roofs, and flooring. They will also assess the availability of basic amenities such as electricity, water supply, and sanitation facilities. Furthermore, the survey will explore household consumption patterns, focusing on energy usage and other resources.
She said “Data on family structures, including the number of members and their roles within the household, will also be collected to provide a comprehensive understanding of living conditions and demographics”.
This comprehensive exercise is a critical step in understanding the socio-economic landscape of the nation. The data collected will help policymakers identify gaps in infrastructure and services, enabling targeted interventions to improve living standards.
Navot Kaur further said “The second phase of the census, focusing on population enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027. This phase will provide detailed demographic data such as age, gender, literacy levels, and employment status”.
The census is an essential tool for planning and development, offering insights that shape policies and programs for years to come. Citizens are encouraged to cooperate fully with enumerators to ensure accurate and reliable data collection.