Introduction: Enabling the First Digital Census of India

The Census of India is the world’s largest data collection exercise, reaching every household across the nation. Until the 2011 Census, data was collected on paper schedules, with layout maps sketches prepared manually. These paper records were later digitized through scanning a process that was both time-consuming and prone to inconsistencies.

With the upcoming 16th Census of India, a historic transformation is taking place. For the first time, Census operations are being carried out in digital mode, ensuring improved accuracy, faster data availability, and enhanced monitoring. A crucial part of this transition is the preparation of Digital Layout Maps and the geo-tagging of all buildings within each Houselisting Block (HLB).

To make this possible, the Digital Layout Mapping App (DLM App) has been developed. This mobile application replicates the traditional methodology followed by Supervisors and Enumerators for drawing notional sketches for HLBs while introducing digital efficiency, accuracy, and real-time monitoring capabilities.

Core Objectives of the DLM App

The app has been designed with three main objectives that directly support Census Houselisting operations:

Demarcation of HLB Boundaries
Supervisors use the app to capture the outer boundary of each Houselisting Block based on tentative HLB boundary and the description provided by the Charge Officer.

Geo-tagging of all Structures
Enumerators visit every structure in their assigned HLBs and capture its geo-coordinates and also collects information about building use & type, number of floors and number of census houses. Also geo-tags important Landmarks available within the HLB.

Generation of Digital Layout Maps

Once collected data is uploaded, layout maps of HLBs are generated through back-end processes and made available to Supervisors and Enumerators for further use. These maps replicate features of traditional HLB layout maps but with higher accuracy and integrated with geo-referenced digital mapping framework.

Types of Data Captured: The DLM App captures a wide variety of field-level data that is critical to both coverage and monitoring:

Building Coordinates (Latitude and longitude for each structure)

Locality/Habitation Name and Road/Street Name

Building Number (if available, else Temporary Census House Numbers to be assigned by Enumerators)

Building Name (If available)

Building Type (Pucca or Kutcha)

Building Use (Residential, Partly Residential and Non-Residential)

Important Landmarks (Name of Landmark- Mandatory)

Number of Floors, Number of Census Houses

Note: No personal information of the residents/occupants of the buildings are collected through this app.

User Roles: Two distinct user roles have been built into the app, reflecting the organizational structure of Census fieldwork:

Enumerators

Approximately 27 lakh enumerators will use the app during Houselisting operations.

Their role includes:

Capturing geo-coordinates of every structure within the assigned HLB.

Classifying structures into the correct categories and collect other essential information.

Ensuring complete coverage of the assigned HLB.

Supervisors

Around 4.5 lakh supervisors will oversee Enumerators assigned to HLBs within each Supervisory Circle.

Their role includes:

Capturing and validating HLB boundaries.

Reviewing buildings geo-tagged by the Enumerators to prevent duplication or omissions.

Monitoring progress within their circle and reporting completion status.

Technical Highlights

Works offline in areas with no internet and syncs when connectivity is available.

Compatible with a wide range of Android and iOS Smartphones / Tablets.

Secure login and role-based access to protect data.

Data encryption and compliance with government security standards.