Census 2027 Houselisting Begins in Six States and UT

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Field operations for the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) phase of Census 2027 have officially begun in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. This phase follows the completion of a 15-day Self-Enumeration period in these regions and will continue until May 30, 2026, with trained enumerators visiting households to collect data.

Meanwhile, the Self-Enumeration facility has opened in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand. Residents in these areas can submit their data online until May 15, after which house-to-house Houselisting operations will take place from May 16 to June 14. Bihar’s self-enumeration period concludes today, with field operations starting tomorrow and running through May 31.

Digital Census Marks a New Era

This is the first time India’s census includes a digital self-enumeration option, allowing households to submit their information online. The Ministry of Home Affairs reports that around 8.2 million households have already used this facility, highlighting public acceptance of the new approach. This digital shift aims to improve data accuracy and convenience, reducing the burden on enumerators and participants alike.

The online self-enumeration portal supports 16 regional languages, making it accessible to a wide demographic. Each submission generates a Self-Enumeration ID, which enumerators verify during their subsequent visits, ensuring data integrity.

Phased Approach Across States and UTs

The staggered schedule allows different states and union territories to conduct their operations within a broader timeframe, ensuring thorough coverage. For instance, while six states and one UT have started fieldwork, others are still in the self-enumeration stage or preparing for upcoming house-to-house visits.

This phased rollout is designed to manage logistics efficiently and accommodate regional variations in population and geography. It also provides flexibility for citizens to participate digitally before enumerators arrive, streamlining the overall process.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Houselisting and Housing Census phase of Census 2027 began on April 1, 2026.
• Field operations in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh started after a 15-day self-enumeration period.
• Self-enumeration is available online in Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand until May 15, 2026.
• House-to-house data collection in these states and UTs will take place from May 16 to June 14, 2026.
• Bihar’s self-enumeration ends on May 15, with field operations from May 16 to May 31, 2026.
• Approximately 82 lakh households have used the self-enumeration facility so far.
• The digital self-enumeration portal supports 16 regional languages and issues a Self-Enumeration ID for verification.
• The Census 2027 aims to be India’s first fully digital census, improving data collection efficiency and accuracy.