Patna: The Bihar government has imposed a transfer ban on officials and employees associated with preparations for the 2027 Census, with the restriction remaining in force until March 31, 2027.
The order, issued by the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, aims to maintain continuity among personnel who have already been trained or assigned responsibilities for census-related work.
Who Comes Under the Transfer Ban?
The restriction applies to officials and employees who have received training for census duties, including teachers and other staff deployed for the exercise.
It also covers Block Development Officers (BDOs), Circle Officers (COs) and Executive Officers, who have been designated as Charge Officers for census-related responsibilities.
Employees deputed from different departments to district- and block-level census cells will also come under the transfer restrictions.
District Magistrates Exempted from the Order
The District Magistrate has been designated as the Principal Census Officer at the district level. However, District Magistrates have not been included in the transfer ban.
The restriction primarily applies to trained personnel, Charge Officers and employees deputed to census cells whose continued presence is considered important for maintaining coordination and operational continuity.
Why Has Bihar Imposed the Transfer Freeze?
The government has taken the decision to prevent administrative changes from disrupting preparations for the 2027 Census.
Since census operations involve extensive coordination, the transfer of trained officials midway through preparations could affect the continuity of work. The government believes retaining trained personnel in their assigned positions will help ensure smoother implementation.
Transfers Still Possible in Special Circumstances
The government has not imposed an absolute prohibition on every transfer. In unavoidable circumstances, an official or employee covered by the order can still be transferred after obtaining prior approval from the competent authority.
For district-level transfers, permission from the District Magistrate will be required. For transfers at the state level, approval from the Revenue and Land Reforms Department—the nodal department for census-related work in Bihar—will be necessary.
Transfer Ban to Remain Until March 31, 2027
The restriction will remain effective until March 31, 2027. During this period, routine transfers of officials and employees associated with census preparations will not be undertaken.
The move is intended to provide administrative stability and ensure that trained personnel and designated Charge Officers remain available throughout the preparation and implementation of the census exercise.
