Administrative activity related to the upcoming census has intensified across Bihar, with officials being appointed at the divisional, district, municipal corporation and urban local body levels. The Principal Secretary of the Census Cell under the Revenue and Land Reforms Department has informed all districts and issued detailed directives in this regard.

The Principal Secretary stated that the appointed census officials will be responsible for ensuring that all operational, supervisory and coordination-related processes are completed in a time-bound manner. Districts have also been directed to prepare area-wise action plans and initiate further necessary action.

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The census will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, scheduled from April to September this year, will involve house listing and the housing census. The second phase will begin in February 2027, during which population enumeration will be carried out.

The upcoming census will be conducted entirely in digital mode. Data will be collected through a mobile application, making the entire process paperless. A total of 33 categories of information will be collected, including details related to digital resources such as internet and computer access, as well as indicators of living standards.

The Principal Secretary has also issued a strict warning regarding census duties. Any official assigned to census work who refuses to perform their duty or obstructs the process will face a fine of Rs 1,000. There is also a provision for imprisonment of up to three years. Appointed officials have been authorised to deploy assistant officials as required, and additional personnel may also be engaged to support the exercise.

Census Officers Appointed at Various Levels

-Divisional level: Divisional Commissioner - Divisional Census Officer

-District level: District Magistrate - Principal Census Officer

-District level: Additional Collector - District Census Officer

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-District level: District Planning Officer, District Statistical Officer, District Information Officer, DEO - Additional District Census Officer

-Sub-divisional level: SDO, Senior Deputy Collector - Sub-divisional Census Officer

-Block level: BDO, CO - Block Charge Census Officer

-Block level: Block Statistical Officer - Additional Charge Census Officer

-Municipal Corporation: Municipal Commissioner - Principal Census Officer

-Municipal Corporation: Additional/Deputy Municipal Commissioner - Municipal Census Officer