A consultative meeting on Census 2027 was held at the DPDB Conference Hall, Kohima on June 15 to create awareness and seek the cooperation of stakeholders ahead of the commencement of census activities in the district.
The consultation was conducted in two separate sessions. The first session was attended by KMC councillors and chairmen of wards and colonies under Kohima Municipal area. The second session was attended by representatives of the Angami Public Organisation, Angami Women Organisation, Angami Youth Organisation and Angami Students’ Union.
Deputy Commissioner and Principal Census Officer, Kohima, B. Henok. Buchem, NCS, highlighted that Census 2027 would be the country’s first fully digital and paperless census. He informed that the self-enumeration facility would be open from June 16 to June 30, 2026 through the official census portal, allowing households to independently submit details of family members using their registered mobile numbers. Upon completion, a Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) would be generated for verification by enumerators during house-to-house visits.
The DC informed that around 637 trained field functionaries would undertake house listing operations across Kohima district from July 1 to July 30. Households that have completed self-enumeration would be required to provide their SE ID to the enumerator for verification and updating of any changes. For households that do not opt for self-enumeration, enumerators would collect the required information directly through the census mobile application.
Emphasising the importance of accurate enumeration, the DC stated that under the Census Act, 1948, individuals must be counted at their usual place of residence where they normally live, sleep and work. He cautioned against dual registration and noted that inaccurate census data adversely affects development planning and allocation of resources.
Addressing concerns over reports of certain native villages directing residents living outside to register in their ancestral villages, the DC reiterated that census enumeration must be carried out strictly at the place of ordinary residence as prescribed under the Census Act. He said false registration constitutes a statutory offence and urged community-based organisations and frontal bodies to create awareness and support the conduct of a fair and accurate census.
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The DC further appealed to citizens to cooperate with enumerators, provide truthful information and ensure that an adult family member is available during the visit of census officials. He assured that all information collected during the census is kept strictly confidential and cannot be used for taxation, legal disputes or shared with law enforcement agencies.
ADCO, Directorate of Census Operations, Nagaland, Mhathung Kithan, presented an overview of Census 2027. He informed that Census 2027 would be the 16th census since 1872 and the eighth after Independence. He explained that the exercise would be conducted in two phases—House Listing and Housing Census from June to July 2026 and Population Enumeration in February 2027.
Kithan stated that the census would be conducted using mobile applications and a dedicated Census Management and Monitoring System. For the first time, households would also have the option of self-enumeration through an online portal. He explained that census enumeration follows the concept of usual residence and clarified that students studying outside the state for an extended period would be counted at their place of study. Visitors would not be counted, while institutional households would be covered separately.
Highlighting provisions of the Census Act, 1948, he informed that offences such as obstruction of census work, submission of false information, unauthorised disclosure of census data and tampering with census records are punishable under law.
Chief Executive Officer, KMC and City Census Officer, Alemyapang Longchar, informed that 260 enumerators have been appointed for Kohima Municipal area. He urged community leaders and stakeholders to spread awareness on the census exercise and assist enumerators in carrying out their duties while allowing them to perform their work without interference.
The meeting concluded with an appeal to all citizens and organisations to support Census 2027 and ensure accurate enumeration for effective planning and equitable allocation of developmental resources. The Deputy Commissioner urged the public to keep politics and artificial distortions out of the census process, stating that an accurate count would help ensure that Kohima receives its fair share of government welfare schemes, healthcare facilities, roads, educational institutions and other developmental resources.
