Odisha: Digital awareness to be raised through “Census Week” in schools
Odisha: In Odisha, district administrations and urban local bodies have been directed to organize a “Census Week” in schools in preparation for the 2027 Census. This initiative was launched by the Census Operations Directorate to raise awareness and promote active participation. Officials say schools will play a key role in this campaign, and students are expected to raise awareness in their families and communities about correct data collection.
District education officers have been directed to organize competitions, campaigns, and other awareness activities in schools. Students will be trained as information ambassadors to understand the census process and help collect accurate data by going door-to-door. This step is to ensure that there are no duplications or omissions in data collection and that the census is conducted correctly.
Also, the digital self-enumeration phase of this census began on April 1st. Residents can enter their information online through the official platform until April 15th. This digital phase will reduce reliance on the initial physical survey and allow for faster data collection.
Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, Director of Census Operations in Odisha, stated that the Governor has set an example in this campaign by becoming the first citizen of the state to complete his own census. This will encourage public participation and ensure active participation in the census.
The census questionnaire contains a total of 33 questions. These include information such as household status, family composition, head of household, vehicle, land ownership, LPG use, and caste. This detailed format aims to create a detailed socio-economic profile of households so that accurate data can be used in policy making and development plans.
Following the digital phase, house listing operations will begin on April 16 and continue until May 15. During this period, trained enumerators and supervisors will go door-to-door across all 30 districts of the state to collect and verify data.
The census campaign is being conducted by the Directorate of Census Operations under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The state’s Revenue and Disaster Management departments are also working together to ensure a smooth, safe, and systematic data collection process.
Officials say that both the “Census Week” and the digital phase will help raise awareness among children and families about the process and ensure accurate data collection. Activities organized in schools will increase awareness among children and families, ensuring that the 2027 census is the most successful and accurate digital census in the country.
Thus, the Odisha administration has demonstrated a robust model for comprehensive and collaborative census preparation, utilizing educational institutions, digital technology, and grassroots awareness.
