Census begins in Bengal from August 1, process to conclude by February 2027

The West Bengal government has announced that the state's census process will begin on August 1, 2026, and conclude by February 28, 2027. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that Bengal will participate in the country's first-ever digital census, with the Census Portal scheduled to be launched on August 1. According to the Chief Minister, he will register his own name on the portal during the initial phase of the exercise. The census will be conducted in two phases, with the first phase running from August 1 to August 15, 2026, and the second phase scheduled for February 2027.

Addressing the census programme, the Chief Minister said that while the process will commence through a digital platform, it will also include door-to-door enumeration. He emphasized that participation from all sections of society would be ensured and described the census as essential for the state. According to the announced schedule, the digital registration process will be followed by field verification and household visits as part of the overall enumeration exercise. The government has also established support systems, including a toll-free helpline and a dedicated landline number for public assistance.

During the announcement, the Chief Minister stated that a letter regarding the census had been sent to the previous state government on May 16, 2025, and alleged that it was not acted upon at that time. He further said that Bengal had fallen behind in the census process and that the new exercise would address that gap. Referring to border-related issues, he noted that approximately 1,600 kilometres of West Bengal's border adjoin Bangladesh and stated that individuals returning to Dhaka are not Indian citizens. The government has announced a toll-free helpline number, 1855, and a landline assistance number, 033-23359503, for census-related queries.