Chandigarh, November 11: Punjab has stepped up preparations for Census 2027, with the Directorate of Census Operations launching a statewide publicity and public awareness campaign through nine digital LED vans. The initiative aims to familiarise citizens with the forthcoming population enumeration exercise, encourage self-enumeration and ensure wider public participation in one of the country’s most important data-collection exercises.
The nine specially equipped LED vans were flagged off on November 11 at 11 am by Dr Navjot Khosa, Director, Census Operations, Punjab, from the Directorate’s premises in Chandigarh. The vehicles will travel through major towns, urban neighbourhoods, rural areas, marketplaces and other prominent public locations across the state to disseminate information about the census through audio-visual presentations.
The vans will also display QR codes enabling citizens to access the official National Census Portal directly and complete the self-enumeration process online. The campaign is designed to make people aware of the census schedule, explain the importance of providing accurate information and familiarise households with the digital facility available to them.
Officials from the Directorate of Census Operations, Punjab, participated in the flag-off programme. The initiative will be implemented in coordination with district administrations to ensure that the awareness campaign reaches people across different regions.
Self-enumeration facility from November 16
An important feature of Census 2027 will be the opportunity for citizens to complete their household census information themselves through an online facility before the arrival of the designated enumerator.
In Punjab, the self-enumeration window will remain open from November 16 to November 30, 2026. Residents can visit the official portal, se.census.gov.in, and respond to the 40 census-related questions online.
The digital facility is intended to make the process more convenient for households while encouraging citizens to participate directly in the exercise. Once the self-enumeration window closes, field-level population enumeration will begin according to the notified schedule.
A dedicated toll-free helpline, 1855, has also been introduced to assist citizens. People can contact the helpline to seek clarification or support if they encounter difficulties while completing the online questionnaire.
Population enumeration from December 1
Census 2027 is being conducted in two phases. The first phase, covering house listing and housing census, has already been completed. Punjab is now preparing for the second phase, which will focus on population enumeration.
According to the schedule announced by the Directorate, the population enumeration exercise in Punjab will take place from December 1, 2026, to January 4, 2027. The reference date for the exercise will be midnight at the beginning of January 5, 2027.
A subsequent revision round, expected to last three to five days after the main enumeration, will provide an opportunity to cover individuals or households left out during the initial exercise.
Census 2027 activity
Scheduled dates
Launch of nine digital LED vans
November 11, 2026
Self-enumeration
November 16–30, 2026
Population enumeration
December 1, 2026–January 4, 2027
Reference date
January 5, 2027
Revision round
3–5 days after population enumeration
District administrations to coordinate awareness campaign
The Deputy Commissioners, who are also Principal Census Officers at the district level, have been entrusted with coordinating the campaign locally. They have finalised route plans for the LED vans, identified suitable locations for publicity hoardings and been asked to provide updated details of district-level nodal officers responsible for publicity.
A designated escort official from each district will accompany the respective van to facilitate its movement, coordinate with local authorities and ensure that awareness activities are conducted smoothly.
The vans will cover locations with significant public movement so that information about the census reaches a broad cross-section of the population, including residents in rural and urban areas.
Citizens urged to participate and provide accurate information
Dr Navjot Khosa has appealed to the people of Punjab to cooperate fully with census enumerators and take an active part in Census 2027. Citizens have been encouraged to use the self-enumeration facility and complete their census forms online before the enumerator visits their households.
The Directorate has also urged residents to follow its official social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube under the handle @censusdcopunjab for updates, instructions and information about the ongoing campaign.
The census is a major national exercise that provides essential information about the country’s population and households. Its findings are used for planning public services, infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing and welfare programmes. The success of the exercise therefore depends significantly on public cooperation and the accuracy of information provided by households.
With nine LED vans taking the awareness campaign across Punjab and an online self-enumeration window opening on November 16, the state administration is seeking to make the forthcoming population count more accessible, participatory and organised.
