By Amrit Pal Sidhu
Chandigarh, 20 February 2026
The administration in Chandigarh is actively preparing for the upcoming nationwide Census exercise, set to commence with house-listing operations in May 2026 and population enumeration in February 2027.
To ensure a smooth and efficient process, the city has been divided into 10 Census Charges, with nearly 2,800 personnel designated for the data-collection effort.
A UT-level conference, led by Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad, emphasized the critical need for accuracy and coordination in this complex administrative task.
Key officials present at the meeting included Home Secretary Mandip Singh Brar, Finance Secretary Diprava Lakra, Education Secretary Prerna Puri, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Amit Kumar, Director-cum-Chief Principal Census Officer Dr. Navjot Khosa, and Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Census Officer Nishant Kumar Yadav.
Together, they reviewed the preparedness and discussed strategies to ensure the success of this large-scale operation.
The Census process, as explained by Navjot Kaur Khosa, Director Census, is set to follow a detailed and structured approach to ensure accuracy and inclusivity. The initiative began with a short film and a presentation covering planning, training, and logistics. Officials emphasized the importance of understanding operational guidelines and training modules to prevent errors and ensure no household or individual is overlooked.
In accordance with a January 2026 notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Census will occur in two phases. Training for officers will take place from February to April 2026, with sessions scheduled between February 19 and April 29.
The Union Territory's 10 Census Charges have been assigned to designated officers, such as SDMs and senior department heads, with clear ward-wise jurisdictions to ensure accountability and effective supervision.
The enumeration will be conducted entirely digitally, utilizing tools such as the Census Management Monitoring System and the HLB Creator App. A five-tier cascade training model has been implemented to standardize capacity building and maintain data quality at all levels.
A specialized training session for Charge Officers was also conducted to familiarize them with digital tools, field protocols, monitoring systems, and supervisory responsibilities.
The administration has stressed the importance of regular review meetings and inter-departmental coordination to guarantee the smooth execution of the Census process.