- India will begin Census 2027 with a fully digital process for the first time.
- The exercise will be conducted in two phases, starting April 1, 2026.
- It will also include self-enumeration and caste data
The first phase of Census 2027 will begin today (April 1), updating the last conducted in 2011. India's 16th Census post-Independence will be the first to be conducted digitally.
The first self-enumeration exercise for citizens, where individuals can enter their own information directly into the system, is available on https://test.census.gov.in/se/. The details for Census 2027 will be registered in two phases:
Phase I
The House Listing and Housing Census (HLO) will be conducted over a 30-day window between April and September 2026, scheduled at the convenience of State/UT governments. A 15-day self-enumeration period will be available immediately preceding the 30-day door-to-door listing period.
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Phase II
The second phase of the census is scheduled to begin in September 2026 for the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the UT of Ladakh, and the snow-bound, non-synchronous areas of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. Subsequently, Population Enumeration (PE) will be rolled out across the rest of the country starting in February 2027. As per the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), this second phase will now also include a comprehensive caste enumeration.
This stage of the process involves gathering comprehensive data from every individual, covering key metrics such as:
- Demographics
- Socio-economic status
- Education levels
- Migration patterns
- Fertility statistics
What is in first phase of Census 2027?
The reference date of Census 2027 is March 1, 2027, for all states, except the union territory of Ladakh and the snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, besides Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, where the reference date is October 1, 2026. Questions of Phase I of the Census have been notified in January 2026. During this phase, enumerators will collect data regarding housing conditions, available household amenities, and asset ownership.
Key information collected
- Housing Quality: Structural condition and type of dwelling.
- Household Amenities: Access to essentials like water, electricity, and sanitation.
- Assets: Ownership of specific items such as vehicles, electronics, or appliances.
First phase of Census 2027
| State / Union Territory | Self-Enumeration Period | Houselisting & Housing Census Period |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi (NDMC & Delhi Cantt), Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim | 1 April – 15 April | 16 April – 15 May |
| Gujarat*, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | 5 April – 19 April | 20 April – 19 May |
| Uttarakhand | 10 April – 24 April | 25 April – 24 May |
| Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana | 16 April – 30 April | 1 May – 30 May |
| Bihar | 17 April – 1 May | 2 May – 31 May |
| Telangana | 26 April – 10 May | 11 May – 9 June |
| Punjab | 30 April – 14 May | 15 May – 13 June |
| Delhi (MCD), Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Jharkhand** | 1 May – 15 May | 16 May – 14 June |
| Uttar Pradesh | 7 May – 21 May | 22 May – 20 June |
| Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry | 17 May – 31 May | 1 June – 30 June |
| Himachal Pradesh | 1 June – 15 June | 16 June – 15 July |
| Kerala, Nagaland | 16 June – 30 June | 1 July – 30 July |
| Tamil Nadu, Tripura | 17 July – 31 July | 1 August – 30 August |
| Assam | 2 August – 16 August | 17 August – 15 September |
| Manipur | 17 August – 31 August | 1 September – 30 September |
| West Bengal | To be decided | To be decided |
The Union Government has allocated Rs 11,718.24 crore for Census 2027. According to an official release, enumerators will use a mobile app to collect and submit data in real time from citizens across the country. Citizens have the option to submit their own data online during both phases via the official portal: se.census.gov.in.
To ensure nationwide accessibility, both the mobile application and the self-enumeration portal will be available in 16 languages, including English and Hindi.
Steps for self-enumeration
While traditional door-to-door enumeration remains a core part of the process, self-enumeration serves as a flexible, additional option for citizens. After submitting their details online, users will receive a unique Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID), which must be shared with the enumerator during their visit to verify and include the data.
Follow these steps to complete your details on the digital portal:
- Visit the SE Portal at se.census.gov.in.
- Use your mobile number and basic details to sign in.
- Identify and confirm your household location on the digital map.
- Enter the required household and asset information.
- Review and submit your information to the system.
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