**Executive Summary**
The Government of India has launched Phase I of Census 2027, focusing on Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) through the nation's first-ever digital data capture and Self-Enumeration facility. Conducted between April 1 and September 30, 2026, this phase requires each State and Union Territory to undertake a 30-day field operation. Citizens are encouraged to participate via a secure online portal to provide data that will form the foundation for India’s development planning over the next decade.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Implementation and Timeline**
* Phase I (HLO) runs nationwide from April 1 to September 30, 2026.
* The initial rollout has commenced in eight States/UTs and specific Delhi areas, with their Houselisting and Housing Census scheduled from April 16 to May 15, 2026.
* Each State and Union Territory is mandated to complete a 30-day continuous field operation within the six-month national window.
**Digital Innovation and Self-Enumeration**
* A secure, web-based Self-Enumeration portal (se.census.gov.in) is available in 16 regional languages.
* A 15-day Self-Enumeration window is provided to the public immediately before the door-to-door survey begins.
* Upon successful online submission, respondents receive a unique Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) to be shared with enumerators for confirmation during field visits.
**Data Scope and Security**
* Phase I includes 33 questions covering housing conditions, household amenities, and assets.
* Information collected is strictly confidential under the Census Act, 1948.
* Data security is maintained through digital tools equipped with robust encryption and multi-factor authentication.
**Impact Analysis**
**General Public / Residents**
**Impact**
Residents now have the flexibility to provide household details digitally at their convenience before a physical visit, reducing the time spent with field officials.
**Action Required**
Log into the official census portal using a mobile number to self-enumerate, or provide full cooperation and information to enumerators during door-to-door visits.
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
These entities are responsible for the localized administration of the world's largest census exercise within their jurisdictions.
**Action Required**
Notify and manage a 30-day continuous field operation window within the overarching national timeframe.
**Enumerators**
**Impact**
The workload is augmented by digital integration, requiring the verification of SE IDs in addition to traditional manual data collection.
**Action Required**
Conduct door-to-door visits in all allocated houselisting blocks to collect data or confirm the unique SE IDs generated by residents who self-enumerated.
Key Entities Referenced
Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO): Phase I of the national census involving the collection of data on housing conditions, household amenities, and assets.
Census 2027: India's first-ever digital national census exercise, conducted in phases to capture administrative and statistical data.
Census Act, 1948: The statutory framework that mandates the conduct of the census and ensures the confidentiality of all collected information.
Self-Enumeration facility: A web-based digital initiative allowing citizens to enter their household details online through a dedicated portal (se.census.gov.in) before enumerator visits.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The nodal government ministry responsible for the implementation and national rollout of the census exercise.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Census 2027: World's largest census exercise
begins with Houselisting and Housing Census
(HLO)
Census 2027 National rollout starts with first-ever digital data
capture and Self-Enumeration facility
President Smt. Droupadi Murmu leads the Nation as the First
to complete Self-Enumeration
Vice-President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister and Minister of
Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah also self enumerated online
Prime Minister appeals to the people of India to self-
enumerate their household details themselves and participate
in the Census process
Self-Enumeration started in Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim,
NDMC and Cantonment Board areas in Delhi
About 55,000 households from these States/UTs availed Self-
Enumeration facility on the very first day
Data collected under the Census Act, 1948, is strictly
confidential
Census remains a vital tool for governance, providing
foundation for India’s development planning for the next
decade
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 8:45PM by PIB DelhiThe 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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