Kolkata, July 31 -- Bengal on Friday launched the first phase of its long-delayed national census, introducing a digital self-enumeration system that asks citizens to provide detailed information about their households, from internet connectivity and cooking fuel to the number of separate families living under one roof.
The nationwide exercise, postponed from 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, marks the country's first census to include an online self-reporting mechanism. Between August 1 and 15, residents can submit their details through a dedicated mobile application or the official census portal before government enumerators begin door-to-door verification in the second phase.
Officials said the survey extends well beyond counting ...