India Census 2027: India’s 16th Census is set to begin on April 1, 2026. In the 2027 Census—which will be conducted digitally—citizens will be provided with the facility of ‘Self-Enumeration’ for the first time.
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Census 2027: India is set to conduct the world’s largest census. This census, which will be carried out through a completely digital process, is scheduled to be completed in two phases. The first phase of Census 2027 is set to commence on Wednesday, April 1. From several perspectives, this census stands apart from all previous censuses. This time, all residents of India will enumerate themselves—a process termed ‘Self-Enumeration.’ This very process will mark the commencement of the census in select states and Union Territories.
Census to be Completed in Two Phases
Registrar General and Census Commissioner Mrityunjay Kumar Narain announced during a press conference in Delhi that Census 2027 will be completed in two phases. The first phase will consist of ‘House Listing and Housing Census’ (HLO), which will run from April to September 2026. This will be followed by the second phase—’Population Enumeration’—which is scheduled to be conducted in February 2027.
‘Self-Enumeration’ Facility for the First Time
As mentioned above, the most significant feature of this census is ‘Self-Enumeration.’ This means that people will be able to fill in their details themselves from the comfort of their homes via a web portal, available in 16 languages. Residents of India will be allotted a 15-day window to submit their information online—a period scheduled to take place just prior to the commencement of the door-to-door survey.
Narayan explained, “Self-enumeration is an additional facility that offers respondents the flexibility to provide their details at their own convenience.” To utilize this feature, you will need to log in to the portal using your mobile number; subsequently, you must present the ‘Self-Enumeration ID’ (SE ID)—generated upon submitting your details—to the enumerator who visits your home later.
How to Perform Self-Enumeration? A Step-by-Step Guide
- Visit the SE portal at https://se.census.gov.in
- Log in using your mobile number
- Mark your location on the map
- Fill in your household details
- Submit the information
- Obtain your SE ID
- Provide the SE ID to the enumerator
Data to be Completely Digital and Secure
The government has approved a budget of ₹11,718.24 crore for this massive campaign. Over 3.1 million personnel deployed for the census will collect data via a mobile app and submit it directly. Robust regulations have been established to ensure data security, thereby safeguarding the personal information of every citizen.
Caste Enumeration and Other Key Information
During the second phase—namely, Population Enumeration—a caste enumeration will be conducted for the first time, as decided by the CCPA. During this phase, questions related to people’s education, migration, fertility, and socio-economic status will be asked. Conversely, in the first phase, data regarding the condition of households, as well as the amenities and assets present therein, will be collected.
In Which State Will the First Phase of the Census Begin, and When? Check the List
April 1 to May 15, 2026: Andaman & Nicobar, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, and Sikkim.
May 1 to May 30, 2026: Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
Other States: Uttar Pradesh (May 22), Bihar (May 2), West Bengal (Date yet to be finalized).
| State/Union Territory (State/UT) | Self-enumeration period | Door-to-door data collection period |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, and Delhi (NDMC and Delhi Cantt) | April 1 to April 15, 2026 | April 16 to May 15, 2026 |
| Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | April 5 to April 19, 2026 | April 20 to May 19, 2026 |
| Uttarakhand | April 10 to April 24, 2026 | April 25 to May 24, 2026 |
| Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and Haryana | April 16 to April 30, 2026 | May 1 to May 30, 2026 |
| Bihar | April 17 to May 1, 2026 | May 2 to May 31, 2026 |
| Telangana | April 26 to May 10, 2026 | May 11 to June 9, 2026 |
| Punjab | April 30 to May 14, 2026 | May 15 to June 13, 2026 |
| Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Delhi (MCD) | May 1 to May 15, 2026 | May 16 to June 14, 2026 |
| Uttar Pradesh | May 7 to May 21, 2026 | May 22 to June 20, 2026 |
| Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Puducherry | May 17 to May 31, 2026 | June 1 to June 30, 2026 |
| Himachal Pradesh | June 1 to June 15, 2026 | June 16 to July 15, 2026 |
| Kerala and Nagaland | June 16 to June 30, 2026 | July 1 to July 30, 2026 |
| Tamil Nadu and Tripura | July 17 to July 31, 2026 | August 1 to August 30, 2026 |
| Assam | August 2 to August 16, 2026 | August 17 to September 15, 2026 |
| Manipur | August 17 to August 31, 2026 | September 1 to September 30, 2026 |
| West Bengal | will be decided soon | will be decided soon |
The Census is Governed by the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990
In India, the census is a constitutional responsibility, administered by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Census Act, 1948, empowers the government to conduct the census and makes it mandatory for citizens to provide accurate information. Furthermore, under the Census Rules, 1990, periodically amended regulations are adhered to in order to ensure the smooth execution of the census. These rules delineate the data collection process and the appointment of officials.
Why Was There Such a Delay in Conducting the Census This Time?
Census 2027 will be the 8th census since India’s independence and the 16th in the overall series. The government issued the Gazette notification for Census 2027 on June 16, 2025. India’s previous census was conducted in 2011. Typically, a census is conducted every 10 years; however, this time, the process is taking place after a delay of six years.
One of the primary reasons for this delay is the transition of the entire system from a paper-based format to a ‘digital’ one. For the first time, enumerators will utilize a mobile app, and the public has been provided with the facility to fill in their details themselves (self-enumeration). To facilitate preparations for the census, all administrative units have been ‘frozen’ for the period spanning from January 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Additionally, a caste enumeration has been included in the second phase this time—a decision taken by the CCPA.
Key Highlights of Census 2027
- The Central Government has approved a total outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore for Census 2027.
- More than 3.1 million enumerators and supervisors will be involved in this entire exercise.
- This census will be conducted across 36 States/Union Territories, 7,092 sub-districts, and approximately 639,902 villages.
- The reference date for Census 2027 has been fixed as March 1, 2027, at 00:00 hours.
- For snow-bound regions such as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, this reference date will be October 1, 2026.
- For Jharkhand, a notification regarding the intention to conduct the census has been issued; however, the notification specifying the exact period is still awaited.
- The schedule for Gujarat may undergo changes.
