LUCKNOW: Nearly seven lakh personnel, including enumerators, supervisors, trainers, volunteers, technical assistants and officers, are engaged in preparations for Census 2027 across Uttar Pradesh, with five lakh enumerators and supervisors already trained for the exercise.Sheetal Verma, Director of Census Operations and Chief Principal Census Officer, Uttar Pradesh, said population enumeration would be conducted from December 1, 2026, to January 4, 2027, followed by a revisional round from January 5 to 9.Each enumerator will be assigned an enumeration block, with the workload calculated on the basis of approximately 800 persons over 35 days. Verma clarified that not every block would have 800 residents and that supervisors would assist enumerators wherever required.Responding to concerns over the 40-question schedule, she said not every question would apply to every individual. Questions concerning occupation, fertility and migration would not apply to many children, reducing the time required for enumeration.Verma said instructions had been issued against assigning census duties to personnel on maternity leave, persons with disabilities, those suffering from AIDS or heart ailments, and employees due to retire within three months. District medical boards would examine other compassionate and medical cases.Special arrangements have been made for slums, institutional households and the houseless population. Enumerators visiting potentially unsafe locations at night would be accompanied by administrative personnel, with support from the state home department.The houseless population will be enumerated on the night of January 4, including people sleeping under flyovers, near railway stations and bus stands, and in shelters. District Magistrates will oversee the exercise.Verma said the Union finance ministry had given in-principle approval to consider ex gratia assistance in the event of unfortunate incidents involving census personnel.She added that senior officers would intervene in cases where households refused to cooperate, as participation in the census was a legal obligation.
