Gurpreet Singh :- Punjab has completed preparations for Census 2026, with the first phase of house listing and housing census scheduled to commence on May 15 and continue till June 13. During this period, enumerators will visit households across the state to collect data through a detailed questionnaire covering around 33 aspects related to housing conditions and basic amenities.
Ahead of the field exercise, residents will have the option to participate through a self-enumeration process from April 30 to May 14, allowing them to submit their details online. The main population census, involving comprehensive individual-level data collection, is slated for February 2027.
In a major shift, the upcoming census will be conducted entirely in a digital format for the first time, with authorities relying on mobile applications and digital mapping tools to ensure faster and more accurate data collection and processing.
To carry out the extensive exercise, nearly 65,000 personnel will be deployed across Punjab. Officials have confirmed that all field staff have already undergone the necessary training to ensure smooth implementation. The survey will capture information related to housing structure, availability of electricity and water, as well as ownership of assets such as internet access, television, and vehicles.
Alongside the general census, the state has also launched a first-of-its-kind ‘drug and socio-economic survey’ from April 1, aimed at gathering data on substance abuse patterns and enabling evidence-based rehabilitation policies. The survey is expected to cover around 6.5 million households, with approximately 28,000 personnel engaged in the exercise under a dedicated budget, to be completed within three months.
