Coming this year: Foundational Census phase seeking data on internet use & more, Pg18

Key Highlights:

• The 16th Census of India, delayed by six years, will begin with the Houselisting and Housing Census phase between April 1 and September 30, 2026.
• This phase will map all structures and households, forming the base for the entire Census.
• The second phase, population enumeration, will start in February 2027.
• The 2026 Census will include the first nationwide caste enumeration since 1931.
• The houselisting will be conducted using a digital-first approach, with enumerators using a mobile app.
• Self-enumeration will be allowed for the first time through a government portal.
• The government has authorized officers to collect information under 33 items during the houselisting and housing census.

Detailed Insights:

• The houselisting phase aims to create an inventory of all buildings, Census houses, and households across India, focusing on where and how people live rather than individual details.
• Each household will receive a unique Census house number and household number, which will be used for individual enumeration later.
• The 2026 houselisting will use GPS tagging of houses, standardized drop-down menus, instant validation checks, and faster data processing.
• The expanded scope of questions in the 2026 Census reflects changes in living standards, digital access, and consumption patterns over the last decade.
• The questions are categorized into identification and structure, household composition, ownership and space, water, sanitation and energy access, fuel and digital connectivity, and assets and consumption.
• New questions in the 2026 Census include those on digital devices, internet access, gas connection type, vehicle ownership, and main cereal consumed.
• Data from the houselisting informs policymaking for schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Ujjwala Yojana.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Census: A complete enumeration of a population, usually recording details of individuals and their properties.
• Enumeration: The process of counting or listing items or people.
• Houselisting: The initial phase of the Census that involves creating an inventory of all buildings and households.