Guwahati : The Assam government on Monday announced the schedule for Phase-I of Census 2027, which will be conducted across the state from August 17 to September 15, 2026, with self-enumeration facilities to remain open from August 2 to August 16 through the official portal.

The schedule was finalised during a high-level review meeting on Census preparedness, where officials assessed arrangements related to field operations, training, digital infrastructure, supervision and public awareness ahead of the nationwide exercise.

According to an official statement, Ravi Kota stressed the importance of coordinated administrative efforts and public participation for the successful implementation of the Census process.

“The successful conduct of Census 2027 will require coordinated administrative efforts, public participation and timely preparedness at every level,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Officials said Population Enumeration under Phase-II in Assam would be carried out in February 2027 along with the rest of the country, with March 1, 2027 fixed as the reference date.

As part of preparations, two national trainers from the Directorate of Census Operations, Assam, have been selected to conduct cascade training programmes across the state.

A total of 59 master trainers have also been appointed, with their training scheduled between June 9 and June 12, 2026. Additionally, 1,109 field trainers have been finalised, and their training is expected to begin from the third week of June.

The government said approximately 83,535 enumerators and supervisors, including reserve personnel, would be deployed for the Phase-I Census operations across Assam.

Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan highlighted the growing role of technology in the Census exercise, noting that digital tools, self-enumeration systems and real-time monitoring mechanisms would ensure more transparent and accurate data collection. Chief Principal Census Officer of Assam Biswajit Pegu appealed to citizens to actively cooperate with the process.

“Cooperation and participation of the public, along with compliance with responsibilities and duties prescribed under the Census Act, 1948, and notifications issued by the Government of Assam, are essential for the successful conduct of this gigantic exercise of national importance,” the official release stated.

Officials said the information collected during Phase-I would help both the state and central governments plan housing, infrastructure development and delivery of essential services more effectively in rural and urban areas.

The review meeting was attended by senior officials from the Assam government, district commissioners, municipal commissioners, principal census officers and representatives from the Directorate of Census Operations, Assam. Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital Census and will be conducted in two phases – House-listing and Housing Census (HLO) and Population Enumeration (PE).

Phase-I will focus on collecting information related to houses and households, including housing conditions, amenities and household assets, which will serve as the foundation for the Population Enumeration phase later in 2027.