PANAJI
Homeless people sleeping on footpaths, in tents and other open spaces, as well as defence personnel in Goa, will be covered under the second phase of Census 2027, with online self-enumeration scheduled from November 16 to 30, followed by door-to-door data collection from December 1 to January 4, 2027. Special enumeration of homeless people will be carried out on the night of January 4 to ensure they are included in the population count.
Addressing a press conference, Director of Census Operations Cheshta Yadav said that special arrangements will be made to ensure that homeless people are not left out of the census. “Enumerators will identify and count those sleeping on footpaths, gardens, in tents and other open spaces during the night of January 4, 2027. Our enumerators are well trained to count all homeless people,” Yadav said.
A total of 3,272 enumerators and 545 supervisors will be deployed across 26 census charges, comprising 14 urban and 12 rural areas. The charges will be headed by deputy collectors and mamlatdars.
The exercise will also extend to special census charges, including Navy areas where restrictions on movement exist. While Navy personnel and areas in Goa will be covered through special arrangements, the enumeration of Army personnel will be handled directly by the Central Government, she said.
The census will also account for people residing in rented accommodation, with officials clarifying that an individual will be counted only once. “Those who are enumerated at their rented place of residence in Goa will not be counted again in their native village. However, those who wish to be counted in their home village can opt not to be enumerated at their rented residence here,” Yadav explained.
Residents can submit their household details through the dedicated self-enumeration portal during the 15-day window. An 11-digit identification number beginning with the letter 'P' will be generated and sent to their registered mobile number. This ID must be shared with the enumerator during the subsequent household visit. Families that will be away during the field exercise can paste the ID on their doors for verification.
Assuring residents about confidentiality, Yadav said individual information would be protected under Section 15 of the Census Act and used exclusively for statistical purposes. “Under Section 8(2) of the Act, every person is legally bound to provide true and correct information to the best of their knowledge,” she said.
The reference date for Goa's Census 2027 will be midnight of January 5, 2027, with a revisional round scheduled from January 5 to 9.
Goa's last population census was conducted in 2011, when the state recorded a population of over 15 lakh. Updated population figures will be released by the Census headquarters after completion of the nationwide exercise, she said.
