Field census begins in Kozhikode amid trouble

Teachers C. Prajitha, T. Sandhya Krishnadas and CEV Raheesa review block boundaries of apartment buildings during the preliminary phase of Census 2027 at Mannur in Kozhikode on July 1, 2026. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh

Like everywhere else in the state, the door-to-door data verification phase began in Kozhikode district on Wednesday (July 1, 2026). However, the census itself, where enumerators visit households to collect data, will not begin until the next few days.

Revenue officials attributed the delay in the distribution of the kits, including identification badges, to census commissioners. “Some of the kits reached the post office only around 11 am on Wednesday. As such, they could not have been distributed to the enumerators earlier,” Additional District Magistrate K. Shareena told The Hindu .

Raheesa CEV, supervisor and key middle officer in the field, who heads a team of five to six enumerators, said that in the first three days, she would visit the block allotted to each enumerator, mark its boundaries and number the buildings. “Once the mapping is complete, the enumeration process will begin during which we will visit each household to collect data,” she said.

At the same time, the Directorate for General Education’s circular prohibiting the census during school hours put teachers who have the duty of census in a difficult situation. More than 90% of those deployed for the census exercise were teachers, said an official of the Kerala School Teachers’ Association.

“The three-day deadline for demarcating boundaries and building numbering is quite strict. In many schools, the duty has been assigned to all teachers except principals. Building numbering is a key part of the census process and we are also required to prepare a detailed map of the assigned area. The time available outside of school is insufficient to complete these tasks. More time for this phase would make the process more manageable,” said Tanadas Sandy School

However, Ms. Shareena claimed that the District Collector, who is also the Chief Enumeration Officer, has sent a message to Assistant Teaching Staff and Heads of all allied departments that action will be taken if the recent instruction disrupts the enumeration process.

A total of 74,301 people completed the self-enumeration process in Kozhikode district, according to officials.

Published – 02 Jul 2026 01:33 IST