World-renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has been appointed by the Union Home Ministry as the brand ambassador for National Census 2027. Pattnaik will use his globally acclaimed sand art to drive public awareness about the importance of the upcoming count.
In Odisha, the census will unfold in two phases. The first, focusing on housing and furniture, runs from April 16 to May 15, 2026, followed by house-to-house enumeration starting February 1, 2027.
This high-tech census is 90% digital, allowing citizens to self-register via a website using mobile OTPs. Strict security measures, including a ban on screenshots and single-use mobile numbers, ensure data integrity.
To manage the massive scale, one officer will oversee every 200 houses, supported by supervisors for every six officers. Field staff will receive an incentive of ₹25,000 for their contribution to this vital national exercise.