ODISHA CENSUS 2026: Massive Digital Headcount to Begin This April; Why Every Resident Must Participate

BHUBANESWAR – After a nearly five-year delay due to the pandemic, the Government of Odisha is gearing up for one of the most significant administrative exercises in its history: Census 2026.

The state government has announced a clear roadmap for the headcount, which will be conducted in two distinct phases. This massive operation isn’t just about numbers; it is the blueprint that will decide where Odisha’s tax money is spent on schools, hospitals, and roads for the next decade.

The Roadmap: When to Expect Officials
The Census will be split into two parts to ensure every household and individual is accurately recorded:

Phase 1: House Listing (April to June 2026) Starting this April, enumerators will begin visiting every structure in the state. This phase focuses on “Housing and Household Amenities.” Officials will record the condition of your house, access to drinking water, electricity, and the assets owned by the family.

Phase 2: Population Enumeration (February 2027) The final “headcount” will take place in early 2027. This is where personal details such as age, marital status, education, occupation, and religion will be recorded. Notably, this census is expected to include a caste-based enumeration, a historic move aimed at better understanding the socio-economic status of various communities.

A Digital First: The “Self-Enumeration” Option
In a major shift from the paper-heavy censuses of the past, the 2026 exercise will be India’s first Digital Census.

The government is introducing a self-enumeration portal. Residents who prefer not to wait for a physical visit can log in using their mobile numbers and fill in their family details online. For those who don’t, enumerators will use a dedicated mobile app to collect data at your doorstep, ensuring that the information is processed faster and more accurately than ever before.

Why This Matters to You
For many individuals, the 2011 Census data—which is still being used today—is outdated. Since then, thousands of new families have been formed, and migration patterns have shifted.

Ration and Welfare: Thousands of eligible people in Odisha are currently missing out on NFSA (National Food Security Act) benefits or PMAY (Housing) benefits because the official population figures are 15 years old. The new census will “unlock” these benefits for those currently left out.

Local Development: Whether your neighborhood gets a new primary health center or an extra water pipeline depends on the population density recorded during these visits.

Political Voice: The upcoming “Delimitation” (redrawing of constituency boundaries) will be based on these numbers, determining how much representation Odisha has in the Lok Sabha.

Is Your Data Safe?
Government officials have emphasized that the information collected during the Census is strictly confidential. Under the Census Act of 1948, the data cannot be shared with any other agency—including tax authorities or courts. It is used solely for statistical purposes and government planning.

Call to Action for Citizens
The state government is deploying nearly 1 lakh personnel, including teachers and local officials, to cover every corner of the state—from the bustling streets of Bhubaneswar to the remote villages of Malkangiri.

Citizens are urged to keep basic identification documents ready and cooperate with the enumerators. As one official put it: “If you are not counted, you don’t exist in the eyes of the planning commission. To get your rights, you must be in the record.”