The Delhi government is preparing for a major Economic Census exercise aimed at creating a comprehensive database of businesses, commercial establishments and economic activities across the national capital. Officials said the exercise will help policymakers gain a clearer understanding of Delhi’s economic landscape and support data-driven planning for employment generation, infrastructure development and investment promotion.
The Economic Census is considered one of the most important statistical exercises undertaken by the government, as it captures information on both organized and unorganized economic activities. The upcoming enumeration is expected to cover a wide range of establishments, including shops, manufacturing units, service providers, transport operators and home-based enterprises. The data collected will provide insights into business distribution, workforce participation and sector-wise economic trends.
Preparations for the exercise have gathered pace with authorities initiating coordination among various departments and administrative units. State- and district-level committees have been constituted to oversee implementation, monitor progress and ensure smooth execution of the survey. Officials are also working on logistics, training programmes and awareness campaigns to encourage participation from business owners and entrepreneurs.
The initiative comes at a time when the Delhi government is placing greater emphasis on evidence-based policymaking. Earlier this year, the administration began compiling data for the Economic Survey 2025-26 and announced plans to strengthen policy research through new institutional mechanisms. Officials believe that an updated Economic Census will complement these efforts by providing a detailed picture of economic activity at the grassroots level.
The survey is also expected to help identify emerging business clusters, growth sectors and employment opportunities across Delhi. Policymakers say such information will be useful in designing targeted schemes for small businesses, startups and informal-sector workers. The findings may also assist in improving urban planning, transport connectivity and public service delivery in rapidly expanding commercial areas.
Officials indicated that technology will play a significant role in the data collection process. Following the government's push toward digital enumeration in Census 2027, authorities are expected to utilize digital tools and modern data-management systems to improve accuracy and efficiency during the Economic Census. This approach is aimed at reducing errors, speeding up data processing and enabling real-time monitoring of field operations.
Experts believe the census will provide valuable insights into the post-pandemic recovery of businesses and help measure the contribution of various sectors to Delhi’s economy. The findings are expected to serve as a key reference for future economic policies, budget planning and investment strategies in the capital. With preparatory work underway, the Delhi government is expected to announce detailed timelines and operational guidelines for the Economic Census in the coming months.
