The Census 2027, world's largest census exercise has begun. The Government of India has commenced Phase I of Census 2027 -Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) from today, marking the beginning of the country’s largest administrative and statistical exercise. This is India’s first ever digital data capture and Self-Enumeration.

The national enumeration exercise was initiated with the enumeration of the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, through the option of Self-Enumeration, upholding the proud tradition of commencing the national count with the First Citizen of India.

The Vice-President, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan filled out the self-enumeration form online for Census 2027, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi completed his self-enumeration. Prime Minister appealed to the people of India to self-enumerate their household details themselves and participate in the Census process.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah also completed his enumeration through the Self-Enumeration portal, underscoring the importance of people participation in this national exercise.

In the first phase of rollout, Self-Enumeration process has commenced in eight States and Union Territories including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area and Delhi Cantonment Board of the National Capital from today. About 55,000 households from these States/UTs availed Self-Enumeration facility on the very first day. The Houselisting and Housing Census in these States/UTs will begin from April 16, 2026 and will continue till May 15, 2026.

The Self-Enumeration exercise is a secure, web-based facility available in 16 regional languages. For the first time, respondents can fill in their details online at their convenience before the enumerator’s visit. Enumerators will carry out door-to-door visits in all allocated houselisitng blocks as in previous Censuses, while Self-Enumeration serves as an additional facility. To participate in Self-Enumeration, respondents can log in to the portal se.census.gov.in using their mobile number and basic credentials. Upon successful submission, a unique Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) is generated, which will be shared with the enumerator during the subsequent field visit for confirmation.

During the Houselisting and Housing Census phase, comprehensive information on the condition of housing, household amenities and assets possessed will be collected. A total of 33 questions for Phase I have been notified in January 2026 to capture these critical indicators, which serve as the foundation for evidence-based planning, policy formulation, and targeted welfare interventions.

The Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) phase will be conducted across the country between April 1 and September 30, 2026. Within this six-month window, each State and Union Territory will undertake a 30-day continuous field operation as notified by the State/UT government. For the first time, an additional 15-day window for Self-Enumeration is being provided immediately before the door-to-door survey. This facility allows people to enter their details digitally from their homes before the enumerator’s visit.

The Census remains a vital tool for governance, providing foundation for India’s development planning for the next decade. Data collected under the Census Act, 1948, is strictly confidential. The digital tools utilized for Census 2027 are equipped with robust encryption and multi-factor authentication to ensure the highest standards of data security. The people are encouraged to actively participate in the Census process, either through Self-Enumeration or by extending full cooperation to enumerators during their visit.

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