Digital Tools and Mascots for Census-2027
Context:
The Union Home Minister recently soft-launched four advanced digital tools and formally unveiled the official mascots for Census-2027 in New Delhi
This marked the preparation for the world's largest census exercise.
Key Firsts & Digital Innovations:
For the first time in its history, the Indian Census will be conducted entirely digitally.
Another pioneering feature is the introduction of a "Self-Enumeration" option.
This secure, web-based facility allows respondents to enter their information online in 16 different languages prior to the standard door-to-door survey.
The advanced digital platforms facilitating these large-scale enumeration operations across the country have been explicitly developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
Mascots and Symbolism:
The official mascots for the exercise are named "Pragati" (representing a female) and "Vikas" (representing a male).
They are designed to symbolize the equal participation of both women and men in fulfilling the national resolve to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
Phased Rollout of Census-2027:
The massive exercise will involve over 3 million enumerators and officials, divided into two distinct phases.
Phase 1: Houselisting and Housing Operations (HLO):
Scheduled between 1st April 2026 and 30th September 2026.
This phase collects data on housing conditions and household amenities.
A 15-day optional self-enumeration period will precede the physical house-to-house survey.
Phase 2: Population Enumeration (PE):
Scheduled for February 2027 across most of India.
This phase records detailed demographic, social, and economic particulars.
Notably, a caste-related question will be formally included during this second phase