Enumeration Under Extreme Heat Conditions
The statewide census drive that began on the 16th is underway across Odisha, with enumerators going door-to-door for house listing and mapping. Despite severe heatwave conditions, officials are continuing fieldwork, writing house numbers and collecting data.

Deaths and Health Issues Raise Alarm
Concerns have intensified after reports of deaths among census workers. Two enumerators from Baripada and Sundargarh have reportedly died, while a suspected heatstroke death has been reported in Sonepur. Several other workers have fallen ill during duty, highlighting the harsh working conditions.

Attack on Census Workers in Kamakhyanagar
In a shocking incident, four census workers were allegedly attacked in Kamakhyanagar in Dhenkanal district. The incident occurred in Mahimanagar Sahi under Ward No. 3. Two of the injured are women employees. Local administrative and police officials reached the spot, detained the accused, and launched an investigation.

Government Plans SOP for Safety
Following these incidents, the state government has decided to introduce a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure the safety of census staff. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari stated that the 2026 census is a high-tech exercise but acknowledged the challenges posed by extreme weather and field conditions.

Work Suspended During Peak Heat Hours
To reduce health risks, census work will remain suspended between 11 AM and 3 PM. District collectors have been directed to monitor the situation closely and ensure safety measures for field staff.

Focus on Safety and Education
The government is also coordinating with the Home Department to enhance security. As many teachers are involved in census duty, steps are being taken to ensure that academic activities are not affected.

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Odisha is set to commence the first phase of the state census in April 2026, followed by the second phase in February 2027. The first phase will focus on household and asset enumeration, while the second phase will carry out population counting from home to home.

Preparations Underway for Six Months

Preparations for the census have been ongoing for the past six months. Pre-tests have been completed in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and boundaries for National Administrative Census (NAC) and municipal wards have been finalized. The Development Commissioner, in coordination with all District Collectors, has overseen these preparations.

Census Officers to Be Appointed and Trained

Approximately one lakh census officers will be appointed across the state. Each officer will be assigned 200 households, and a supervisor will be appointed for every six officers. Officers will receive training over the next three months. Each officer will also receive an economic incentive of ₹25,000 for their work.

Phase 1: House Marking from April to May

During Phase 1 (April–May 2026), officers will mark households, while the second phase in February 2027 will involve detailed population enumeration. This two-phase approach ensures accurate and comprehensive data collection across Odisha.

Digital and Self-Reporting Options Available

Residents will have the option to self-report their information online, using a website portal with OTP verification via mobile numbers. Each mobile number can be used only once, and screenshots or other multiple submissions will not be accepted to ensure accuracy.

State Coordination and Oversight

The census will be conducted under the supervision of the State Census Coordination Committee, chaired by the Development Commissioner, with senior officials and census directors present. State and district-level authorities will manage registration, trials, training, and field operations to ensure a smooth and organized census.

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