As India prepares for its next population count in 2026-27, authorities are flagging a growing concern. Ahead of the nationwide count, reports have emerged that fradusters are seen posing as census officials to trick people into sharing sensitive personal and financial information.
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Such rumours have also gone viral online, especially via WhatsApp forwards. One such widely shared message alleged that criminals are posing as Home Ministry officials and using “census duty” as a cover to target homes. This claim has been proven false but authorities are warning people that similar tactics can be used by scammers in the census process.
Conducted once every ten years, India's census is considered the largest exercise of its kind globally that will cover over 1.4 billion people. The Census is the country's 16th overall and the eighth since independence. This year, the process is set to go digital with the use of mobile apps and online self-enumeration tools. Scammers are using this as an opportunity to capitalise and retrieve personal information.
How Scammers Can Operate:
- They pose as government officials and ask for ID details or money. They usually label it as “verification charge.”
- Fake websites and emails are created that look like official census portals which are used by scammers to collect personal information.
- Fraud calls and SMS to acquire login credentials, OTPs or other sensitive information.
Be careful of what you share as real census officials will not ask for these details:
- Bank account numbers, debit/credit card details, UPI PINs or OTPs.
- Photocopies of Aadhaar, PAN or any other ID documents.
- Any kind of payment, fee or donation to be included in the census.
Important things to keep in mind during visits:
- Officials will not force their way into your home.
- They will not ask you to download apps or click on suspicious links.
- The questions will be limited to basic demographic, social and economic details only.
How Census 2027 Will Be Carried Out
The census exercise will have millions of personnel deployed across the country to reach households in cities, towns and remote villages. These enumerators will be tasked to ensure that every household is covered.
The process will take place in two phases. In the first phase, officials will gather information about housing conditions. The second phase will cover information about individuals and their social and economic background.
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Before field visits begin, residents will get a limited window to fill in their details online through an official portal that supports multiple languages. After details are submitted, a unique self-enumeration ID will be generated. This ID can later be used by officials to verify entries during in-person visits using handheld devices.
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