Census 2027 Self Enumeration: Date, Registration, Portal and Complete Online Steps

Census 2027 Self Enumeration: India is preparing for Census 2027, the country’s first full population count since 2011 and the first-ever digital census exercise. The nationwide operation is expected to be one of the largest administrative exercises in the world, covering every household across urban and rural India.

The Government of India has already started the first phase in selected states and Union Territories, while the final population count is scheduled for 2027.

What is Census 2027?

Census 2027 Self Enumeration

Census 2027 marks India’s 16th Census which serves as the 8th Census since the country gained Independence. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India conducts this census under the authority of the Census Act, 1948.

The census holds historic significance because:

Digital execution will serve as the first method for conducting the census.

Citizens will have access to an online self-enumeration portal.

Data collection will progress at a quicker pace compared to previous censuses which used paper-based methods.

The population enumeration phase will gather data about caste in addition to its other demographic data collection activities.

Census 2027 Self Enumeration: Date and Schedule

The Census will be conducted in two phases:

Phase 1: House Listing and Housing Census

The process began on April 1, 2026 for various states and Union Territories according to their respective local schedules.

The phase documents:

House condition assessment
Room count
Water supply status
Toilet accessibility
Household property inventory
Internet and vehicle possession
Details about the house construction type

Phase 2: Population Enumeration

The population enumeration phase is scheduled to begin in February 2027 with officials determining the reference date as follows.

Most of India will use March 1, 2027 as their official reference date.

Schedule

1 April 2026 – 15 April 2026: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, NDMC & Delhi Cantonment Board, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim
16 April 2026 – 30 April 2026: Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
7 May 2026 – 21 May 2026: Uttar Pradesh
1 June 2026 – 15 June 2026: Himachal Pradesh
16 June 2026 – 30 June 2026: Kerala, Nagaland
July 2026: Tamil Nadu, Tripura
February 2027: Population Enumeration Phase
1 March 2027: Census Reference Date for most of India
1 October 2026: Reference Date for snow-bound areas (Ladakh, parts of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand)

Census 2027 Registration: How to Apply Online?

Census 2027 Self Enumeration

For the first time, citizens can complete details themselves using the official self-enumeration portal.

Official Website: se.census.gov.in

Registration Steps

1. Visit the official self-enumeration portal

2. Select your State/UT, enter the head of household’s details, and provide a valid 10-digit mobile number for OTP verification.

3. Choose your preferred language. Enter your district, PIN, and locality. Use the integrated digital map to accurately pin your residence.

4. Carefully provide responses to the 33 notified questions regarding your housing and assets.

5. Review your entries thoroughly. Once submitted, you cannot edit the form.

6. Secure Your SE ID: A unique 11-digit Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) will be generated. Save this ID (via screenshot, SMS, or email) to present to the official enumerator during their physical visit.

Population census to be held in two phases, Centre issues notification

Self-Enumeration Availability Depends on State Schedule

The self-enumeration portal opens according to the schedule of each state/UT. In many regions, it remains active for 15 days before house visits begin.

That means users should check local notifications and district announcements regularly.

All the administrative units have been frozen for the period 01.01.2026 to 31.03.2027. Census 2027 will be conducted in 36 States/UTs, 7,092 sub-districts, 5,128 Statutory towns, 4,580 Census towns and around 6,39,902 villages, as on 01.01.2026.