Census 2026 Kicks Off in Bhatkal with New Online Self-Enumeration Option
Residents can submit their details digitally from April 1 as officials begin the first phase of the nationwide census exercise
The long-awaited Census 2026 exercise will begin on April 1 across the country, with Bhatkal joining the first phase focused on house listing and housing data collection. This marks the first census since 2011, as authorities restart the decennial process after a significant gap.
For the first time, residents will have the option to complete their census details online through a self-enumeration system. Officials say this digital initiative is designed to make the process more efficient, accurate, and transparent.
According to Bhatkal Tahsildar Nagendra Kolashetty, citizens can use the online portal to submit their household information between April 1 and April 15. After this period, officials will begin a verification drive from April 16 to May 15. During this phase, trained enumerators will visit homes to confirm submitted details and collect information from those who did not use the online system.
The census will gather key information about housing conditions, including the type of structure, availability of water, electricity, sanitation, and other basic facilities. It will also record personal details of household members such as age, education, and occupation, following official guidelines.
Authorities have put separate systems in place for rural and urban areas within Bhatkal taluk. Rural operations will be managed by the Tahsildar, while the City Municipal Council Commissioner will oversee urban areas. In total, 289 enumerators have been appointed, with 190 assigned to rural regions and 99 to urban localities.
All enumerators are undergoing training and will begin door to door visits from April 16 as part of the verification and data collection process.
Data from the 2011 Census showed that Bhatkal’s urban areas had over 14,000 houses with a population of about 73,200, while rural areas accounted for nearly 30,000 houses.
Officials have assured residents that all information collected will remain confidential and will be used strictly for official purposes. They emphasized that accurate data is essential for government planning, policy decisions, and resource allocation.
Residents are encouraged to participate in the online self-enumeration process and cooperate fully with officials during verification to ensure the success of the exercise.
