World’s largest census to go digital for first time with self-enumeration option; over 31 lakh enumerators to be deployed across 36 States/UTs. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Shri Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, announced at a press conference in New Delhi today that the world’s largest census, Census 2027, will commence in two phases, with the first phase beginning on 1st April 2026. For the first time in India’s history, the Census will be conducted digitally, and citizens will have the option of Self-Enumeration (SE) through a secure web-based portal before the door-to-door survey.
Overview
The last Census of India was conducted in 2011. Census 2027 will be the 16th in the series and the 8th since independence, conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948. The government has approved an outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore for this massive exercise, which will also include the enumeration of castes during the second phase for the first time since 1931.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organization | Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |
| Census Name | Census of India 2027 (16th Census) |
| Phase I (HLO) Start Date | April 1, 2026 |
| Phase I (HLO) End Date | September 30, 2026 |
| Phase II (Population Enumeration) | February 2027 (Snow-bound areas: Sept 2026) |
| Reference Date (Most States) | 00:00 hours of March 1, 2027 |
| Mode | Digital (Mobile App & Web Portal) |
| Total Enumerators & Officials | Over 31 lakh (3.1 million) |
| States/UTs Covered | 36 |
| Total Budget | ₹11,718.24 crore |
| New Features | Digital data collection, Self-Enumeration, Caste enumeration |
| Official Website | census.gov.in |
India Census 2027 Phase 1: Key Dates & Schedule
The first phase, known as the House Listing and Housing Census (HLO) , will be conducted over six months from April to September 2026. Each State/UT has been allotted a specific 30-day period for house-to-house enumeration, preceded by a 15-day Self-Enumeration window.
First States to Begin (April 1-15 Self Enumeration; April 16-May 15 House Listing):
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Delhi (NDMC & Delhi Cantonment Board)
- Goa
- Karnataka
- Lakshadweep
- Mizoram
- Odisha
- Sikkim
Other states like Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have subsequent schedules extending up to September 2026. West Bengal’s schedule is to be decided.
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India Census 2027 Phase 1: What is Self-Enumeration?
Self-Enumeration is a new, secure web-based facility allowing respondents to enter their information online before the enumerator’s visit. It is available in 16 languages, including Hindi and English.
Process:
- Log into SE Portal (se.census.gov.in) using a mobile number.
- Identify location on the map.
- Fill in household details (33 questions on housing, amenities, and assets).
- Submit information to receive a unique Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) .
- Provide the SE ID to the enumerator during the field visit.
- Data is confirmed and included in the Census.
Key Features of Census 2027
- Digital First: Enumerators will collect and submit data directly through a Mobile App on their smartphones, eliminating paper schedules.
- Caste Enumeration: For the first time since 1931, caste data will be collected during the second phase (Population Enumeration) as decided by the CCPA.
- Massive Workforce: More than 3 million enumerators, supervisors, and other officials will be involved. Training has cascaded from 100 National Trainers to 2,000 Master Trainers, 45,000 Field Trainers, and finally to 31 lakh Enumerators.
- Data Security: All necessary provisions have been made to ensure data security for both the mobile app and the self-enumeration portal.
- Pre-test Completed: A full rehearsal of the census methodology was conducted in November 2025 across 5,000 blocks in all States/UTs.
India Census 2027 Phase 1: 33 Questions
The questions for Phase I (House Listing and Housing Census) have been notified in January 2026. They cover:
- Condition of houses
- Amenities available (electricity, water, toilet, etc.)
- Assets possessed by the household (vehicles, electronic goods, etc.)
Phase II (Population Enumeration) questions will be notified in due course and will cover demographic, socio-economic, education, migration, fertility, and caste details.
Also Read: Jharkhand TET Notification 2026
India Census 2027 Phase 1: Important Dates Overview
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification in Gazette of India | 16th June 2025 |
| Phase I (HLO) Begins (First States) | 1st April 2026 |
| Self-Enumeration Window (First States) | 1st to 15th April 2026 |
| House Listing (First States) | 16th April to 15th May 2026 |
| Phase I Ends (Last States) | 30th September 2026 |
| Phase II (Population Enumeration) | February 2027 |
| Reference Date (Most of India) | 1st March 2027 |
Source – PIB
FAQs
Q1: When does India Census 2027 Phase 1 begin?
Ans: The first phase (House Listing and Housing Census) begins on 1st April 2026 for the first batch of States/UTs.
Q2: What is the Self-Enumeration portal for Census 2027?
Ans: The Self-Enumeration portal is available at se.census.gov.in. Citizens can log in using their mobile number to fill out their census form online.
Q3: Will caste be enumerated in Census 2027?
Ans: Yes, for the first time since 1931, the enumeration of castes will be done during the second phase (Population Enumeration) of Census 2027.
Q4: Is the Census 2027 digital?
Ans: Yes, for the first time, the Census will be conducted entirely digitally using a Mobile App for enumerators and a web portal for Self-Enumeration.
Q5: What is the reference date for Census 2027?
Ans: The reference date for most of India is 00:00 hours of 1st March 2027. For snow-bound areas (Ladakh, parts of J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh), it is 00:00 hours of 1st October 2026.
