New Delhi: The Government of India has officially launched Census 2027, the world’s largest census exercise, with the commencement of Phase I — the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) — marking a historic shift toward digital data collection and citizen participation.
For the first time in India’s history, the Census is being conducted with digital data capture and a Self-Enumeration facility, allowing citizens to fill in their household details online at their convenience.
President Droupadi Murmu led the nation by becoming the first citizen to complete the Self-Enumeration process, continuing the long-standing tradition of initiating the national census with the Head of State. Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also completed their self-enumeration online, highlighting the importance of public participation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens across the country to actively take part in the Census by self-enumerating their household details, calling it a crucial national exercise.
In the first phase, the Self-Enumeration process has been rolled out in select regions including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, and key areas in Delhi such as NDMC and Cantonment Board zones. On the very first day itself, around 55,000 households availed the Self-Enumeration facility.
The Houselisting and Housing Census field operations in these regions will begin from April 16, 2026, and continue until May 15, 2026.
The Self-Enumeration system is a secure, web-based platform available in 16 regional languages, enabling respondents to submit their information before the enumerator’s visit. Citizens can log in via the official portal using their mobile number and basic credentials. Once completed, a unique Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) is generated, which will be verified by enumerators during subsequent visits.
During Phase I, detailed information regarding housing conditions, household amenities, and assets will be collected through a structured questionnaire of 33 questions, notified earlier in January 2026. This data will play a crucial role in evidence-based policymaking, welfare schemes, and long-term development planning.
The HLO phase will be conducted nationwide between April 1 and September 30, 2026, with each State and Union Territory carrying out a 30-day field operation. Additionally, a 15-day window for Self-Enumeration has been introduced prior to door-to-door surveys, allowing citizens to digitally submit their information in advance.
The government emphasised that all data collected under the Census Act, 1948, is strictly confidential. Advanced digital systems with robust encryption and multi-factor authentication have been deployed to ensure maximum data security.
Census 2027 is expected to serve as a foundational tool for governance and policy planning, shaping India’s development trajectory for the next decade. Citizens have been urged to participate actively, either through Self-Enumeration or by cooperating with enumerators during field visits.
