**Executive Summary**
This report details the preparations by the Directorate of Census Operations, Maharashtra, for the upcoming Census 2027, the 16th Census of India. It outlines a significant transition to a digital framework, featuring self-enumeration from May 1–15, 2026, followed by a house-listing phase from May 16 to June 14, 2026. The initiative emphasizes real-time data collection through mobile applications and a centralized monitoring system to ensure accuracy and efficient policy formulation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Digital Framework and Innovation**
* Census 2027 marks India’s first digital census, utilizing mobile applications for real-time data collection and dissemination.
* The Census Monitoring & Management System (CMMS) web portal has been enabled for comprehensive supervision and data management.
* An optional online self-enumeration portal (https://se.census.gov.in) allows individuals to submit household schedules independently.
**Operational Timeline (Phase 1)**
* **Self-Enumeration:** Active from May 1 to May 15, 2026.
* **House-listing and Housing Census (HLO):** Conducted door-to-door from May 16 to June 14, 2026.
* Enumerators will visit every household during the HLO phase, regardless of whether self-enumeration was completed.
**Workforce Mobilization and Training**
* Approximately 2.64 lakh field functionaries, including Enumerators and Supervisors, are being trained and deployed across Maharashtra.
* A five-tier training cascade was implemented, starting with National Trainers and concluding with Field Trainer-led sessions for enumerators from April 23 to May 8, 2026.
* Field operations will be conducted specifically through the HLO mobile application.
**Data Security Protocols**
* A three-layer security system is in place covering mobile devices, data transmission, and server-level protection.
* Security measures include multi-factor authentication, OTP-based access, and encrypted data storage.
* Self-enumeration takes approximately 15–20 minutes and requires no document uploads; a Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) is generated upon completion.
**Impact Analysis**
**Individual Respondents**
**Impact**
Citizens are tasked with the responsibility of providing accurate information to support state development and policy formulation. They have the choice between digital self-service or traditional in-person enumeration.
**Action Required**
Participate in optional self-enumeration (May 1–15, 2026) or ensure presence and cooperation when enumerators visit (May 16 – June 14, 2026) to provide complete data.
**Field Staff (Enumerators and Supervisors)**
**Impact**
2.64 lakh personnel are responsible for the physical execution of the census using digital tools, marking a shift from paper-based methods to mobile-app-driven data entry.
**Action Required**
Attend mandatory training sessions concluding by May 8, 2026, and conduct door-to-door house-listing operations within the designated one-month window.
**Government of Maharashtra/Directorate of Census Operations**
**Impact**
The administration is shifting to a digital-first oversight model through the CMMS portal, requiring robust technical infrastructure and data security management.
**Action Required**
Oversee the five-tier training cascade, manage the CMMS web portal for real-time monitoring, and ensure the integrity of the three-layer data security system.
Key Entities Referenced
Census 2027: The 16th Census of India, marking the first time the national exercise is conducted through digital means, including mobile applications and online self-enumeration.
Census Act, 1948: The central legislation that provides the legal framework and authority for conducting the census in India.
Directorate of Census Operations, Maharashtra: The primary agency responsible for the administrative readiness, training of field staff, and execution of the census within the state of Maharashtra.
Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India: The national authority that prescribes the operational guidelines and training structures for the conduct of the census across India.
Census Monitoring & Management System (CMMS): The official web portal designed for the comprehensive monitoring, supervision, and real-time data management of census operations.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Directorate of Census Operations, Maharashtra,
advances preparations for Census 2027 with
Digital and Administrative Readiness
2.64 Lakh Enumerators and Supervisors Being Trained
Across Maharashtra for Census 2027
Self-enumeration from 1st to 15th May, 2026, while door-to-
door House-listing and Housing Census to take place
between 16th May to 14th June, 2026 in the state
Posted On: 30 APR 2026 7:01PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 30 April 2026
A press conference was addressed by Directorate of Census Operations, Maharashtra, in Mumbai
today, to share detailed information regarding the launch of Census 2027 in the state. The
Government of India is undertaking extensive preparations for the upcoming Census 2027, the
16th Census of India, which is a vital national exercise conducted under the provisions of the
Census Act, 1948.
The Chief Principal Census Officer, Maharashtra, Dr. Nirupama J. Dange, appealed to all the
individual respondents of Census in the state to consider this important task their responsibility
and participate actively. “When the enumerator visits your home between 16th May to 14th
June, 2026, you have to provide them with complete and accurate information and also
encourage those around you to stay informed and get enumerated”, she stated. Active public
participation is essential for generating reliable data that supports effective policy formulation
and contributes to the overall development of the State, Dr. Dange further stated, urging
individual respondents to participate actively.
In conformity with the Government’s commitment to Digital India initiatives, Census 2027 shall
make extensive use of digital technology, which is expected to enhance the quality, efficiency,
and timeliness of data collection and dissemination. This Census, being India’s first to be
conducted through digital means for greater accuracy and speed, marks a significant transition
towards a digital framework wherein mobile applications are utilized for real-time data
collection. Towards this end the Census Monitoring & Management System (CMMS) web portal is
enabled for comprehensive monitoring, supervision, and data management. An option for online
self-enumeration has also been introduced, enabling individuals to fill, complete, and submit the
census schedule for their household independently.
As per the decision taken by the Government of Maharashtra, the period for the first phase of
Census 2027, i.e., House-listing and Housing Census (HLO), has been finalized as follows:Self-Enumeration 1st May to 15th May, 2026
House-listing Operation 16th May to 14th June, 2026
Self-enumeration is optional, and whether it is done or not, enumerators will visit
every household between May 16 and June 14, 2026, in the state (Maharashtra) to
collect and record the information, informed the senior officials. For the State of
Maharashtra, the Self-Enumeration (SE) portal will remain active from 1st May to 15th May
2026. Any one member of a household may complete the Self-Enumeration process and furnish
household details in approximately 15–20 minutes. Upon successful submission, a Self-
Enumeration ID (SE ID) will be generated and shared on the registered mobile number/e-
mail. Further, no documents are required to be uploaded during the Self-Enumeration
process.
Extensive Training Underway as 2.64 Lakh Field Staff Mobilised for Census Operations
in Maharashtra
For the conduct of the house-listing exercise, approximately 2.64 lakh field functionaries,
including Enumerators and Supervisors (with a 10% reserve) are being trained and deployed
across Maharashtra. Towards this end a structured five-tier training cascade has been
implemented as prescribed by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of
India. Subject Matter Experts trained National Trainers, who in turn trained 141 Master Trainers
from Maharashtra at YASHADA, Pune, during 9th–17th March 2026. These Master Trainers
subsequently trained 3,850 Field Trainers across district and statutory town headquarters during
6th to 17th April 2026. In the final stage, Field Trainers are imparting training to approximately
2.64 lakh Enumerators and Supervisors from 23rd April to 8th May 2026, who will undertake
field operations using the HLO mobile application.
Robust Three-Layer Security System Ensures Safe Census Data Collection and Storage
Robust data security measures have been incorporated, including a three-tier security system
covering mobile devices, data transmission, and server-level protection through multi-factor
authentication. Access is restricted to authorized personnel using password and OTP-based
authentication, and all data will be stored in encrypted format. Citizens opting for self-
enumeration are advised to use the official portal https://se.census.gov.in and verify the
authenticity of communications.
Click here for detailed information on conduct of Census 2027 in Maharashtra.MMaahhaarraasshhttrraa CCeennssuuss 22002277 PPrreessss CCoonnffeerreennccee
PIB Mumbai
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PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/Edgar Coelho/Darshana Rane
सोशल मडयावर आाला फॉलो करा: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PI
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