‘Give an hour to Census’: PM Modi urges youth to join national exercise

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the country’s youth to actively participate in the Census 2027, calling on them to help ensure accurate data collection and greater public participation in the exercise.

Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi appealed to young people to take the lead in the census process and contribute their time to the national exercise.

“I am asking all of you for your help,” Modi said, urging youngsters to create an “atmosphere of participation” in every household.

Modi said even one or two hours spent helping with the census could become a significant contribution to the nation. He stressed that the exercise was not merely about counting people but about collecting information that would help shape government policies, welfare schemes and India’s development roadmap.

“These days, the country is conducting the Census. The counting is underway. And counting is not merely about numbers. The details help shape policies and schemes,” he said, emphasising the importance of accurate information.

Modi urges families to register data digitally

The prime minister highlighted the use of technology in Census 2027, saying citizens would be able to provide their census information themselves through their mobile phones.

He said digital self-registration could help reduce data-entry errors and improve the accuracy of information. Modi urged families to sit together, carefully review their details and ensure that even spellings are correct before submitting the information online.

He also advised citizens to first fill out the form on paper and review all details before uploading them digitally.

“The more precise the information you provide, the greater the help it will be in taking the country forward,” Modi said.

Census 2027

Census 2027 is India’s first census to use digital tools extensively, with data collection being carried out through a dedicated mobile application while retaining door-to-door enumeration.

The census, originally scheduled for 2021, was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Data collection is targeted to be completed by March 1, 2027, while officials have said the collation and publication of the results could take two to three years.