In a landmark moment for India’s statistical landscape, the world’s largest census exercise — Census 2027 — officially commenced today with the launch of Phase I, the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO).
For the first time in the nation’s history, the exercise introduces fully digital data capture and a convenient Self-Enumeration facility, allowing citizens to provide household details online before enumerators arrive at their doorsteps.
President Droupadi Murmu set the tone for national participation by becoming the first citizen to complete her Self-Enumeration, upholding a proud tradition of the First Citizen leading the national count. Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah promptly followed suit, completing their online enumerations and sending a strong message of collective involvement in this massive administrative exercise.
PM Modi, after submitting his details through the portal, made a heartfelt appeal to the people of India: “I urge every citizen to self-enumerate their household details and actively participate in the Census process. Your cooperation will lay the foundation for India’s development planning for the next decade.”
The Self-Enumeration rollout began today in eight States and Union Territories — Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area, and Delhi Cantonment Board. On the very first day, approximately 55,000 households across these regions availed the facility, marking an enthusiastic response to the digital initiative.
The Housing Listing and Housing Census phase will run nationwide from April 1 to September 30, 2026. Each State and Union Territory will conduct a continuous 30-day field operation as per their notified schedule, while an additional 15-day window for Self-Enumeration precedes the door-to-door survey in every area. Enumerators will still visit every household with the traditional zeal of previous censuses, but citizens now have the option to complete their responses conveniently via the secure web portal at se.census.gov.in using their mobile number and basic credentials. Upon successful submission, a unique Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) is generated for verification during the enumerator’s visit.
Available in 16 regional languages, the portal features robust encryption and multi-factor authentication to ensure complete data security. During this first phase, enumerators will collect comprehensive data through 33 notified questions on housing conditions, household amenities, and assets possessed — critical indicators that form the bedrock of evidence-based policy making, targeted welfare schemes, and long-term development planning.
All information gathered remains strictly confidential under the Census Act, 1948, and will be used solely for statistical purposes. The digital tools deployed for Census 2027 are designed to the highest standards of data protection, giving citizens full confidence in the process.
This exercise is far more than a headcount; it is a vital governance tool that will shape India’s future for the next ten years — from resource allocation and infrastructure development to social welfare programmes and urban planning. With its pioneering digital approach, Census 2027 promises greater accuracy, wider coverage, and unprecedented citizen participation.
The Government of India has called upon all citizens to embrace the Self-Enumeration option or extend full cooperation to enumerators during field visits, ensuring the success of this national endeavour.
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