Census 2027 kicks off: How to do self-enumeration: step-by-step guide

India will conduct the Census 2027, which will cover the entire country and provide valuable information on its demographics. As part of Census 2027, the facility of self-enumeration has been provided, which begins on April 1, 2026. 

Census 2027 will be completely digital, with enumerators recording data from house visits on mobile applications. 

In order to ease the process, the facility of self-enumeration is available to citizens to fill in their information as per their convenience.

What is self-enumeration? 

It is a new web-based facility that allows citizens to provide their household information online before an enumerator visits. It is designed to offer flexibility, allowing respondents to fill out the census schedule at their own convenience in any of the 16 available languages.

Step-by-step guide for self-enumeration 

To participate in self-enumeration, respondents should follow these steps via the self-enumeration portal. 

• Login: Access the portal and log in using a mobile number.

• Identify location: Use the provided map tool to identify your exact location. 

• Fill details: Complete the household information and census schedule.

• Submit: Submit the information online. 

• Receive Self-Enumeration ID: Once submitted, the system generates a unique ID for each respondent. 

• Share ID: When the census enumerator visits during the door-to-door phase, provide them with your ID. 

• Confirmation: The enumerator will confirm the data, and it will be officially included in the Census. 

Dates for self-enumeration

The dates for self-enumeration for each State and Union Territory are not the same. Here’s how to check your dates for self-enumeration:

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, Delhi (NDMC and Cantt. Board): April 1-15, 2026

• Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu: April 5-19, 2026

• Uttarakhand: April 10-24, 2026

• Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh: April 16-20, 2026

• Bihar: April 17-May 1, 2026

• Telangana: April 26-May 10, 2026

• Punjab: April 30-May 14, 2026

• Delhi (MCD), Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Jharkhand: May 1-15, 2026

• Uttar Pradesh: May 7-21, 2026

• Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry: May 17-31, 2026

• Himachal Pradesh: June 1-15, 2026

• Kerala, Nagaland: June 16-30, 2026

• Tamil Nadu, Tripura: July 17-31, 2026

• Assam: August 2-16, 2026

• Manipur: August 17-31, 2026

• West Bengal: To be decided

What is a census?

A census is a massive administrative and statistical exercise that collects, compiles, and analyses demographic, social, and economic data on the country’s entire population. India’s Census is one of the world’s largest such exercises and is managed by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Is census held every five years?

Census, unlike elections, is not held every five years. In India, the census is conducted once every 10 years.

Why was there no census in 2021?

The census of 2021 was not conducted as scheduled primarily due the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic which impacted field activities and the collection of data in the country.

How many questions will be asked in Census 2027?

The Census 2027 will include 33 questions ranging from sex of the head of the household, type of cereal consumed to number of couples usually living in the household.

Also Read | What are the 33 questions in the first phase of Census 2027?

When will Census 2027 data be released?

Most of the Census data sets are expected to be published within the year 2027 itself. This is because the census activity is digital, unlike the previous ones in which data was collected on paper and later scanned for processing. The use of mobile applications will significantly speed up the process and ensure near real-time processing of information.