Punjab is racing against time as the countdown begins for India’s first-ever Digital Census 2026. The state government has gone into mission mode, rushing to complete municipal and ward boundary records before the Central Government’s hard deadline of December 31, 2025.
Out of 166 municipal bodies, 160 have already completed their digital mapping, while six remain under final scrutiny. Officials say Punjab is “almost there,” determined to lead the digital census revolution.
The Local Government Department has confirmed that 90% of the digital records have already been sent to New Delhi — a sign that Punjab intends to stay ahead of every other state in the race to complete this massive national task.
Pre-Test Census Drill Begins November 10 — Eyes on Amritsar, Jalandhar, Malerkotla
Punjab’s first pre-test house count will begin on November 10 in Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Malerkotla — three of the most complex and populous districts in the state.
This dry run will test the accuracy, speed, and coordination of the digital census process before the full-scale operation starts across Punjab on April 1, 2026.
Teams from the Census Directorate have already landed in these districts, equipped with tablets, apps, and new digital tools. For the first time ever, every home, street, and boundary will be digitally tracked, mapped, and verified in real time.
Any lapses or gaps detected in this drill will be immediately fixed — officials have warned there will be zero tolerance for errors when the final census begins.
Punjab Becomes Digital Battlefield of Data
The digital transition is being powered by georeferencing technology, converting every municipal and ward boundary into a smart digital map.
This precision mapping will ensure that no house, no person, and no data point is missed during the nationwide census.
The Local Bodies Department has set up a 24×7 control room to monitor the work and has also launched a new digital portal and mobile app for on-ground officers.
Elections held last year in five corporations and 44 municipal councils had already reshaped ward boundaries — all of which have now been re-surveyed and integrated into the new digital system.
Punjab’s Massive Census Force — 3.4 Million Officials Ready
Once the house listing wraps up, the second phase of the digital census will begin on February 1, 2027.
For this, over 3.4 million government employees across India have been trained — making it the largest digital field operation ever attempted in the country.
According to the 2011 Census, Punjab’s population stood at 27.7 million — a number that will soon be replaced by a far more accurate, tech-powered count.
This time, the census won’t just record people — it will create a complete digital mirror of Punjab’s population, homes, and infrastructure.
Punjab Sends a Message: “We’re Ready — Before Time!”
Officials in Chandigarh are calling it a matter of pride and performance.
While several states are still struggling with basic digital mapping, Punjab has completed nearly 96% of the groundwork.
The message is clear — Punjab is ready, organized, and determined to set the pace for India’s most advanced census ever.
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